Multiscale Characterization of Human Cortical Bone

Mechanical properties of cortical human bone have been investigated for more than four decades. Numerous experimental investigations on bone characterization were performed; Mechanical, vibrational, acoustical testing and morphological, physico-chemical investigations. Due to the techniques, different levels of investigation were performed and subsequently quantitative parameters are concerning different level of structure of bone (organ, tissue, ...). According to our knowledge, few investigations were performed simultaneously on mechanical, morphological and physico-chemical properties of bone. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the influence of multiscale structural characteristics of the bone tissue on its mechanical behavior and to provide some estimations from micro-macro numerical modelling based on our experimental data.