title: Fractal dimension and mechanical properties of human cortical bone.
abstract: Fractal dimension (FD) can be used to characterize microstructure of porous media, particularly bone tissue. The porous microstructure of cortical bone is observable in micro-CT (μCT) images. Estimations of fractal dimensions of μCT images of coupons of human cortical bone are obtained. The same samples were tested on a tensile test machine and Young's modulus (YM) and Failure stress were obtained. When both types of measures were compared, a clear correlation was found (R=-81%, P<0.01). Young's modulus of each sample and the FD of its μCT images are correlated. From the assumption that cortical bone is approximately a fractal set, a non-linear constitutive relation involving FD is obtained for YM. Experimental results show good agreement with this constitutive relation. Additional parameters in the non-linear relation between YM and FD have been estimated from experimental results and related to physical parameters.
authors: Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - Barcelona Tech, Spain. david.sanchez-molina@upc.edu
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Sanchez-Molina
authors: Juan
authors: J
authors: Velazquez-Ameijide
authors: Víctor
authors: V
authors: Quintana
authors: Carlos
authors: C
authors: Arregui-Dalmases
authors: Jeff R
authors: JR
authors: Crandall
authors: Damien
authors: D
authors: Subit
authors: Jason R
authors: JR
authors: Kerrigan
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D017709:Fractals; D006801:Humans; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D008875:Middle Aged; D012272:Ribs / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013718:Tensile Strength; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography