Effect of including periodic boundary condition on the fatigue behaviour of cancellous bone

Abstract

Trabecular bone consists of complex webbing of plates and struts, in which the properties vary across anatomical sites. The substantial constraint is the reduction on discretization error will reduce time in computation. So it is significant to consider carefully the boundary condition effects when utilizing such a complex multiaxial loading mode. Additionally, multiaxial loading gives distinct effects towards boundary condition compare to uniaxial whereas percentage prediction of fatigue failure is lower and applying of periodic boundary reflect a more precise real loading condition. 3D models of trabecular samples were constructed for FE simulations. The response of the models towards simulated mechanical loading was investigated. Preparation of the models begins with 3D reconstruction of micro-CT stacked images, follows by segmentation, meshing and refurbishing process. The resistance of trabecular bone deformation to loading in both uniaxial and multiaxial modes improved the fatigue life and failure with application of periodic boundary conditions.