Evaluation of mode I fracture toughness of cortical bone tissue in the RL crack propagation system

Abstract

In this work the mode I fracture properties of bone tissue were determined for the RL propagation system. With this aim, Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) fracture tests were performed using specimens of cortical bone tissue harvested from bovine femurs with an age of approximately 8 months. In order to overcome the difficulty associated to the monitoring of crack length during propagation in the course of the test, the CBBM (Compliance Based Beam Method) was used. This method is based on beam theory and experimental specimen compliance, thus allowing the attainment of an equivalent crack length during the test. The results obtained reveal the existence of a plateau on the Resistance-curve, thus making possible to estimate with accuracy the critical strain energy release rate.