Multiphysics of bone remodeling: A 2D mesoscale activation simulation

Biomed Mater Eng. 2017;28(s1):S153-S158. doi: 10.3233/BME-171636.

Abstract

In this work, we present an evolutive trabecular model for bone remodeling based on a boundary detection algorithm accounting for both biology and applied mechanical forces, known to be an important factor in bone evolution. A finite element (FE) numerical model using the Abaqus/Standard® software was used with a UMAT subroutine to solve the governing coupled mechanical-biological non-linear differential equations of the bone evolution model. The simulations present cell activation on a simplified trabeculae configuration organization with trabecular thickness of 200µm. For this activation process, the results confirm that the trabeculae are mainly oriented in the active direction of the principal mechanical stresses and according to the principal applied mechanical load directions. The trabeculae surface activation is clearly identified and can provide understanding of the different bone cell activations in more complex geometries and load conditions.

Keywords: FEM; Mechanobiology; bone; multiphysics; remodeling; trabecula.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Bone Remodeling*
  • Cancellous Bone / cytology
  • Cancellous Bone / physiology*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Finite Element Analysis
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Weight-Bearing