title: Comparison of strain measurement in the mouse forearm using subject-specific finite element models, strain gaging, and digital image correlation.
abstract: Mechanical loading in bone leads to the activation of bone-forming pathways that are most likely associated with a minimum strain threshold being experienced by the osteocyte. To investigate the correlation between cellular response and mechanical stimuli, researchers must develop accurate ways to measure/compute strain both externally on the bone surface and internally at the osteocyte level. This study investigates the use of finite element (FE) models to compute bone surface strains on the mouse forearm. Strains from three FE models were compared to data collected experimentally through strain gaging and digital image correlation (DIC). Each FE model was assigned subject-specific bone properties and consisted of one-dimensional springs representing the interosseous membrane. After three-point bending was performed on the ulnae and radii, moment of inertia was determined from microCT analysis of the bone region between the supports and then used along with standard beam analyses to calculate the Young's modulus. Non-contact strain measurements from DIC were determined to be more suitable for validating numerical results than experimental data obtained through conventional strain gaging. When comparing strain responses in the three ulnae, we observed a 3-14% difference between numerical and DIC strains while the strain gage values were 37-56% lower than numerical values. This study demonstrates a computational approach for capturing bone surface strains in the mouse forearm. Ultimately, strains from these macroscale models can be used as inputs for microscale and nanoscale FE models designed to analyze strains directly in the osteocyte lacunae.
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 350K Robert H. Flarsheim Hall, 5110 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, MO, 64110, USA.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Begonia
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Room 3143, 650 E 25th Street, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dallas
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Room 3143, 650 E 25th Street, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA.
authors.forename: Mark L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 350K Robert H. Flarsheim Hall, 5110 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, MO, 64110, USA. ganesht@umkc.edu.
authors.forename: Ganesh
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thiagarajan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D005552:Forelimb / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D011884:Radius / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014457:Ulna / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography
keywords: Digital image correlation; Finite element analysis; Forearm; Mechanical loading; Strain; Strain gage