The fracture mechanics of fatigue crack propagation in compact bone

Wright, T. M.; Hayes, W. C.

Affiliations

¹Department of Materials Science and Department of Applied Mechanics, Stanford University, Stanford, California

Abstract and keywords

The purpose of this investigation was to apply the techniques of fracture mechanics to a study of fatigue crack propagation in compact bone. Small cracks parallel to the long axis of the bone were initiated in standardized specimens of bovine bone. Crack growth was achieved by cyclically loading these specimens. The rate of crack growth was determined from measurements of crack length versus cycles of loading. The stress intensity factor at the tip of the crack was calculated from knowledge of the applied load, the crack length, and the specimen geometry. A strong correlation was found between the exprimentally determined crack growth rate and the applied stress intensity. The relationship takes the form of a power law similar to that for other materials. Visual observation and scanning electron microscopy revealed that crack propagation occurred by initiation of subcritical cracks ahead of the main crack.

Keywords:

Links

DOI: 10.1002/jbm.820100420

PubMed: 947925

WoS: A1976BZ90700018

Cited By (24)

Year	Entry
2002	Yeni YN, Fyhrie DP. Fatigue damage-fracture mechanics interaction in cortical bone. Bone. March 2002;30(3):509-514.
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2005	Nalla RK, Stölken JS, Kinney JH, Ritchie RO. Fracture in human cortical bone: local fracture criteria and toughening mechanisms. J Biomech. July 2005;38(7):1517-1525.
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2014	Carriero A, Zimmermann EA, Paluszny A, Tang SY, Bale H, Busse B, Alliston T, Kazakia G, Ritchie RO, Shefelbine SJ. How tough is brittle bone? investigating osteogenesis imperfecta in mouse bone. J Bone Miner Res. June 2014;29(6):1392-1401.
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