Impact Mechanics of Bone v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Imaging Impact: Using Ultra-High Speed Imaging to Dynamically Test Bone
IRAS ID
263038
Contact name
Lloyd Fletcher
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 3 months, 1 days
Research summary
Most existing data for the mechanical properties of bone is obtained at low loading rates. However, bone fracture events tend to occur at higher rates due to impact loads. For example at moderate loading rates, a fall or physical trauma; at high loading rates, a car accident; or at extremely high rates due to explosive loading/ballistic trauma. Therefore, there is a need to obtain data at a variety of loading rates in order to develop material models that can predict bone fracture due to impact loads. \n\nThe main challenge when impact testing materials is the need for accurate deformation measurement over the whole sample with a high enough sampling rate to capture the whole impact event. Previous technology only allowed for a few point measurements which severely limited the types of tests that could be performed. Recently, cameras have been used to track deformation using image correlation techniques. Coupling this with advances in high speed imaging has opened up completely new methods which can be used to obtain impact properties of materials with unprecedented data quality. Therefore, the aim of this project is to use the latest advances in image-based impact test methods to develop a database of material property data for bone across a wide range of loading rates. This database will be used to develop computational models that describe the response of bone under impact loading. The models will then be validated against impact tests on whole bone samples. \n\nThe overarching goal is to use the models developed in this project in computer simulations across a wide array of bioengineering problems from understanding hip fractures in the elderly from falls, all the way through to predicting injury in car accident simulations or designing improved body armour for military personnel.\n
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/YH/0184
Date of REC Opinion
29 May 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion