Static Analysis and Strength Reliability of Human Femur Bone

The neck portion of the human femur is the most vulnerable region to attract stress-induced fractures. The loads of the human body act on the hip joint and on the greater trochanter region through abductor muscles. The bone is a natural composite and a good example of functionally graded material (FGM). This study considers a probabilistic finite element approach to assess the critical stresses in the femur under static loads. Material properties assigned to the bone model are linearly elastic, isotropic and orthotropic. Material characterization in terms of bone density is established by Computed Tomography (CT) data. The strength reliability and safety margin are obtained using relevant limit state function. Sensitivity analysis with respect to random parameters provides basis for a possible implant material characterization.