Experimental validation of finite element analysis of a composite clavicle
using digital image correlation
S. Vancleef1,*, H. Vanhove1, J. Duflou1, I. Jonkers2, J. Vander Sloten1
1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU Leuven, Belgium
2 Human Movement Biomechanics Research Group, KU Leuven, Belgium
* Correspondence: sanne.vancleef@kuleuven.be
1. Introduction
Finite Element Models (FEM) are extensively
used in orthopaedic biomechanics. However, to
translate research into clinical practice,
validation of these models is a crucial step. For
experimental validation, FEM geometry should
be identical to the test specimen. Therefore,
composite bones are often used. These offer a
standardised alternative with limited variability
for cadaveric bones and perform within the
biological range of healthy adult bones with
respect to flexural and torsional rigidity [1].
However, accurate material properties of these
composite bones are necessary to validate Finite
Element Analysis (FEA). The goal of this study
was to identify material properties of a fourth
generation composite clavicle with Digital
Image Correlation (DIC).
2. Materials and Methods
First, a CT-scan of a composite clavicle
(Sawbones, USA) was taken (Siemens, slice
thickness 0.75) and segmented using Mimics
(Materialise, Belgium). Then, the medial side of
the clavicle was embedded in a resin and the
specimen was covered with black speckles on a
white background. A laser scan of the specimen
was taken (LC60Dx, Nikon), after which it was
clamped to perform a cantilever bending test.
During the test, forces were measured (Kistler
type 9119AA1) and DIC was performed. FEM
alignment was based on the laser scan and
maximal forces of the experiment were
imposed. Two material models were compared.
First, FEA was performed with cortical bone
modelled as an isotropic linear elastic material
(E=16GPa, ν=0.26). Second, a transverse
isotropic linear elastic material (E1=E2=
10GPa, E3=16GPa, ν12= ν23=0.26) was used.
Trabecular bone was modelled as isotropic
linear elastic (E=155MPa, ν=0.26) in both
cases. E and E3 were updated and
displacements measured by DIC and FEA were
compared by the slope of linear regression using
Matlab (Mathworks, USA).
3. Results
Comparison of DIC and FEA for isotropic
linear elastic material properties, showed that
the FEM is too stiff (slope= 0.84). Decreasing
the E modulus to 15GPa and 14GPa resulted in
a slope of respectively 0.92 and 0.98. Using
transverse isotropic linear elastic properties
resulted in a slope of 0.95, 1.00 and 1.06 for a E
modulus of 16, 15 and 14GPa respectively. R2
was 0.99 in all tests.
Figure 1: Linear regression for left) isotropic
material and right) transverse isotropic material
4. Discussion and Conclusions
Although most studies use isotropic linear
elastic material models for cortical bone, results
show that the material model affects FEA
outcome. Isotropic linear elastic material with
E=14GPa corresponds to transverse isotropic
linear elastic material with E3=15GPa. To
optimize the material properties, other loading
condition such as torsion should be tested. In
addition, results show that E3 provided by
Sawbones is overestimated as previously shown
for femur and tibia using modal analysis [2].
5. References
1. Gardner MP et al. Ann Biomed Eng. 38:613–620
(2010)
2. Leuridan S et al. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater.
66:12–18 (2017)
Acknowledgements:
The author would like to thank KU Leuven for
internal funding through the BioMeTIOm
project and the Materialise Chair for access to
Mimics and 3-matic.