Skip to main content
Log in

Relations between tensile impact properties and microstructure of compact bone

  • Published:
Calcified Tissue Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Standardized human and beef femoral compact bone specimens were tested in tensile impact and the dynamic mechanical properties were determined. The microstructure of 45 beef and 47 human bone specimens were examined histologically to determine if there is a structural basis to account for strength differences in the bone samples. Strong negative correlations were obtained between the maximum stress and the percentage area of secondary osteons in each specimen. For human bone samples, the energy absorption capacity and the modulus of elasticity were also found to have strong negative correlations with the percentage area of secondary osteons present in each specimen. Linear regression equations were obtained describing the impact strength properties in terms of the percentage areas of secondary osteons and cavities in the samples.

Fracture surfaces of the tested bone specimens were examined in a scanning electron microscope. Most surfaces exhibited a fairly rough texture indicating a quasi-cleavage type of failure. Fractographic analysis of bone fracture surface was helpful in understanding the micromechanics of bone fracture.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amprino, R.: Rapporto fra procesi di reconstruzione e distribuzione dei minerali nelle ossa I. Richerche esequito metodo studio dell' assorbimento dei raggi roentgen. Z. Zellforsch.37, 144–183 (1952)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Amprino, R., Engstrom, A.: Studies on X-ray absorption and diffraction of bone tissue. Acta Anat.15, 1–22 (1952)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ascenzi, A., Bonucci, E.: The compressive properties of single osteons. Anat. Rec.161, 377–391 (1968)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ascenzi, A., Bonucci, E., Simkin, A.: An approach to the mechanical properties of single osteonic lamellae. J. Biomechanics6, 227–235 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Carter, D.R., Hayes, W.C.: Fatigue life of compact bone — I. Effects of stress amplitude, temperature, and density. J. Biomechanics9, 27–34 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Carter, D.R., Hayes, W.C., Schurman, D.J.: Fatigue life of compact bone — II. Effects of microstructure and density. J. Biomechanics9, 211–218 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Currey, J.D.: Differences in the tensile strength of bone of different histological type. J. Anat. (Lond).93, 87–95 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  • Currey, J.D.: The mechanical consequences of variation in the mineral content of bone. J. Biomechanics2, 1–11 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Currey, J.D.: The effects of strain rate, reconstruction and mineral content on some mechanical properties of bone. J. Biomechanics8, 81–86 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, F.G.: Stress and strain in bones. Springfield, Ill.: Charles C. Thomas 1957

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, F.G.: Relations between the microscopic structure and the tensile strength of human bone. Acta Anat.35, 285–301 (1958)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Evans, F.G.: Mechanical properties of bone. Springfield, Ill.: Charles C. Thomas 1973

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, F.G., Bang, S.: Physical and histological differences between human fibular and femoral compact bone. In: Studies on the anatomy and function of bone and joints, F. G. Evans, ed., pp. 142–155. Berlin: Springer 1966

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, F. G., Bang, S.: Differences and relationships between the physical properties and the microscopic structure of human femoral, tibial and fibular cortical bone. Am. J. Anat.120, 79–88 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, F.G., Riola, M.L.: Relations between the fatigue life and histology of adult human cortical bone. J. Bone J. Surg.52-A, 1579–1586 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, F.G., Vincentelli, R.: Relation of collagen fibre orientation to some mechanical properties of human cortical bone. J. Biomechanics2, 63–71 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Frost, H.M.: Bone remodelling dynamics. Springfield, Ill.: Charles C. Thomas 1963

    Google Scholar 

  • Hêrt, J., Kuchera, P., Vávra, M., Volenik, V.: Comparison of the mechanical properties of both the primary and Haversian bone tissue. Acta Anat.61, 412–423 (1965)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Olivo, O.M., Maj. G., Toajari, E.: Sul significato della minuta struttura del tessuto osseo compatto. Boll. Sc. Med. Bologna109, 369–394 (1937)

    Google Scholar 

  • Piekarski, K.: Fracture of bone. J. App. Physics41, 215–223 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Saha, S.: Tensile Impact Properties of Bone and Their Relation to Microstructure. Ph.D. Thesis, Stanford, Calif.: Stanford University 1973

    Google Scholar 

  • Saha, S., Hayes, W.C.: Instrumented tensile impact tests of bone. Exp. Mechan.14, 473–478 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Saha, S., Hayes, W.C.: Tensile impact properties of human compact bone. J. Biomechanics9, 243–251 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sedlin, E.D., Hirsch, C.: Factors affecting the determination of the physical properties of femoral cortical bone. Acta Orthop. Scand.37, 29–48 (1966)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Strandh, J.: Microchemical studies on single Haversian systems. II. Methodological considerations with special reference to Ca/P ratio in microscopic bone structures. Exp. Cell. Res.21, 406 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  • Strandh, J.: Microchemical studies on single Haversian systems. III. Distribution of calcium, phosphorus and nitrogen in microscopic bone tissue structures of varying ages. Biochimica e Biologia SperimentaleI, 60 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Vincentelli, R., Evans, F.G.: Relations among mechanical properties, collagen fibers, and calcification in adult human cortical bone. J. Biomechanics4, 193–201 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Vose, G.P.: The relation of microscopic mineralization to intrinsic bone strength. Anat. Rec.144, 31–36 (1962)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vose, G.P., Kubala, A.L.: Bone strength — its relationship to X-ray determined ash content. Hum. Biol.31, 262–270 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Saha, S., Hayes, W.C. Relations between tensile impact properties and microstructure of compact bone. Calc. Tis Res. 24, 65–72 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02223298

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02223298

Key words

Navigation