Authors: F. A. M. Pereira , M. F. S. F. de Moura , N. Dourado , J. J. L. Morais , M. I. R. Dias

The objective of this work consists of fracture characterization of cortical bovine bone in the TL fracture system under pure mode II loading. The ENF (End-Notched Flexure) test was employed using miniaturized version of specimens utilized on mode II fracture characterization of other materials. The experimental tests provided consistent results despite the natural variability of biological materials. The Resistance-curves were successfully obtained by means of an equivalent crack length procedure. In order to validate the method, a finite element analysis including cohesive zone modelling that allows to simulate damage initiation and growth was performed. In these simulations the average value of fracture energy (GIIc) measured experimentally was used. It was observed that both, numerical load-displacement and Resistance-curves are well representative of experimental spectra which validates the proposed methodology used for fracture characterization of bone tissue under mode II loading.

F. A. M. Pereira ¹ | M. F. S. F. de Moura² | N. Dourado ¹ | J. J. L. Morais ¹ | M. I. R. Dias³
1CITAB/UTAD, Departamento de Engenharias, Vila Real, Portugal
2 DEMEGI, FEUP, Porto, Portugal
3CITAB/UTAD, Departamento de Ciências Veterinárias, Vila Real, Portugal