Bending Deformation Measurement of Bone Cantilever Using Image Correlation

Bone is an anisotropic inhomogeneous material, and its piezoelectric behavior is more complex than mineral piezoelectric materials such as quartz crystal or ceramics. This article aimed to understand the piezoelectric properties of bone by investigating its converse piezoelectric effect. Bending deformation of bone specimens subjected to an external electric field was observed. Displacements or deflections of bone cantilever beams were measured by a high resolution digital microscope combined with digital image correlation technique. In order to demonstrate the validity of the experiment, specimens made of non piezoelectric materials were also tested in the same experimental condition as bone. The results indicate that the bending deformation of the bone cantilever may come from the non uniform piezoelectric properties of bone, compared to an analytical solution.