Microstructural mechanical study of a transverse osteon under compressive loading: The role of fiber reinforcement and explanation of some geometrical and mechanical microscopic properties

• Published in: Journal of biomechanics Vol. 44; no. 8; pp. 1588 - 1592
• Main Authors: De Micheli, P.O, Witzel, U
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 17.05.2011; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Biocompatibility; Biological and medical sciences; Biomechanical Phenomena; Biomechanics. Biorheology; Biomedical materials; Bone mechanics; Bone microstructure; Collagen; Collagen - analysis; Collagen - chemistry; Composite materials; Compressive properties; Elasticity; Engineering Sciences; Fiber reinforcement; Fibers; Finite Element Analysis; Finite elements simulation; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Haversian System - chemistry; Haversian System - physiology; Haversian System - ultrastructure; Humans; Loads (forces); Materials; Mechanical properties; Microstructure; Models, Anatomic; Models, Biological; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Pressure; Reinforcement; Skeleton and joints; Stress, Mechanical; Tissues, organs and organisms biophysics; Transverse osteons; Vertebrates: osteoarticular system, musculoskeletal system; Bone microstructure; Bone mechanics; Composite materials; Transverse osteons; Finite elements simulation; Human; Mechanical properties; Compressive strength; Modeling; Osteoarticular system; Biomechanics; Finite element method; Stress distribution; Mechanical stress; Bone; Microstructure; Biomedical engineering
• ISSN: 0021-9290; 1873-2380
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2011.02.075

Abstract This Finite Element study aims at understanding the transverse osteon as a composite microstructure, and at differentiating the actions of each of its main components and their interactions. Three components of the osteon have been distinguished: the lamellae mineral–collagen matrix, the lamellae mineral–collagen reinforcement fibers and the Haversian canal content made of intracortical fluid and soft tissues. Numerical compression experiments have been performed, varying the microstructure properties. Our results show that fiber reinforcement of transverse osteons is only efficient at resisting dynamic compressive loadings, but that the improvement of the static compressive properties is very poor. Furthermore, the modeled stress distribution within the matrix and reinforcement fibers may explain why transverse osteons are often limited to a small number of lamellae (<8) and why internal lamellae could be stiffer than external ones.