Evaluation of experimental, analytical, and computational methods to determine long-bone bending stiffness

Methods used to evaluate bone mechanical properties vary widely depending on the motivation and environment of individual researchers, clinicians, industries. Further, innate complexity makes validation each method difficult. Thus, purpose present research was quantify methodological error most common methods predict long-bone bending stiffness, more specifically, flexural rigidity (EI). Functional testing a bi-material porcine surrogate, developed in previous study, conducted under four-point test conditions. The surrogate imaged using computed tomography (CT) with an isotropic voxel resolution 0.625 mm. Digital image correlation (DIC) between experimental, analytical, computational calculate EI. These include application Euler Bernoulli beam theory DIC data; product composite modulus second area moment inertia; finite element analysis (FEA) computer-aided design (CAD) CT-based geometric models. errors were then compared. results this study determined that CAD-based FEA accurate determinant EI, less than five percent difference EI consistent reproducibility measured displacements for load increment. axial strains. Analytical calculations overestimated least accurate, grossly underestimating long-bones. • Flexural (EI) long bones is commonly assess treatment effects. measurements quantified Bending tests underestimated by 72%. Euler-Bernoulli 45%. from CAD- analyses are within 6%.