Heterogeneous linear elastic trabecular bone modelling using micro-CT attenuation data and experimentally measured heterogeneous tissue properties

High-resolution voxel-based finite element software, such as FEEBE developed at the NCBES, is widely used for Studying trabecular bone at the micro-scale. A new approach to determine heterogeneous bone tissue Material properties for computational models was proposed in this study. The specimen-specific range of tissue moduli across strut width was determined from nanoindentation testing. This range was mapped directly using linear interpolation to that specimen's micro-computed tomography (mu CT) grey value range as input material properties for finite element analysis. The method was applied to cuboid trabecular bone samples taken from eight, 4-year-old (skeletally mature) ovine L5 vertebrae. Before undergoing experimental uniaxial compression tests, the samples were mu CT scanned and 30 mu m resolution finite element models were generated. The linear elastic finite element models were compressed to 1% strain. This material property assignment method for computational models accurately reproduced the experimentally determined apparent modulus and concentrations of stress at locations of failure. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.