BOUNDARY CONDITION EFFECTS ON VERTEBRAL BODY STRESSES

• Published in: Biomedical Engineering 2: Recent Developments pp. 124 - 127
• Main Authors: Privitzer, Eberhardt, Hosey, Ronald R.
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 1983
• ISBN: 148318238X; 9781483182384; 9780080301457; 0080301452
• DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-08-030145-7.50032-5

An analytical study is currently conducted, using the finite element method of structural analysis, in support of the Head-Spine Model/ Spinal Injury Function (HSM/SIF) validation program. The primary goals of this effort are to provide insight into the validity of the HSM/SIF formulation and to define possible improvements when required. The approach followed involves a number of parameter studies to determine the effects of variations in vertebral body geometry and material distribution and endplate boundary conditions (BC) on vertebral body stresses. This chapter presents the results from two of these studies. The first considers the effects of variations in cortical to cancellous bone transition zone thickness for given vertebral body geometry and endplate BC. It discusses the validity of the HSM/SIF assumed material distribution that allows for a discontinuity of a factor of approximately 200 in elastic modulus across the cortical shell-trabecular core interface. The second study is a repeat of the first but with the effects of variations in the type of BC prescribed on the endplates also considered.