Detection of defects in cellular solids using highly nonlinear solitary waves: a numerical study of the proximal femur

Abstract

This study investigates the suitability of a relatively new non-destructive evaluation (NDE) technique for the detection of non-visible defects in cellular solids using highly nonlinear solitary waves (HNSWs) in a one-dimensional granular chain. Specifically, the HNSW-based NDE approach is employed to identify the existence of micro-fractures in trabecular bone within the femoral neck (FN) and the intertrochanteric (IT) region of the proximal femur which are fracture-prone sites due to their relatively low bone density, particularly in osteoporosis patients. The availability of a HNSW-based bone quality assessment tool could not only help in early diagnosis of osteoporosis but also affect surgical decisions and improve clinical outcomes in joint replacement surgeries which motivated this study. To obtain a realistic representation of the trabecular microstructure, high-resolution finite-element (FE) models of the FN and the IT region are first constructed using a topology optimization-based bone reconstruction scheme. Then, artificial defects in the form of fractured ligaments are generated in the FN and IT models by selectively disconnecting various struts within the trabecular network. Using the FE models as the inspection medium, hybrid discrete-element/finite-element (DE/FE) simulations are performed to examine the interaction of the HNSWs with the cellular bone samples through two different inspection modes, i.e., inspection via direct contact with the sample and indirect contact through an adequately chosen face sheet inserted between the cellular sample and the granular chain. The delays and amplitudes of the HNSWs are used to estimate the effective elastic moduli of the cellular samples and these estimates were found to be reasonably accurate only in case the face sheet was applied. For the latter case, it was shown that the HNSW-based modulus estimates can be used as indicators for defect detection, allowing to discern between pristine and damaged cellular solids. These results suggest that HNSW-based NDE is a reliable and cost-effective technique for the identification of defects in cellular solids, and is expected to find applications in various fields, such as non-invasive screening of bone diseases and fractures, or damage detection in additively manufactured cellular structures.