Natural frequency analysis of a human tibia

A 3-D finite-element model of a dry human tibia has been developed to predict its natural frequencies of vibration. Analytical results were compared with experimental results obtained with a dual spectrum analyzer. The influence of boundary conditions and geometric properties such as inertia and length are eliminated by the finite-element model. The difference between the theoretical and experimental results was principally due to the mechanical properties of bone and mass distribution. The best results were obtained by considering different material properties for the epiphysis and the diaphysis. For the frequency range involved, the mode shapes were essentially bending modes in different planes of vibration, with a slight torsion effect due to the twisted geometry of the tibia. The experimental modal analysis agrees with these results.<>