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Microcracking damage and the fracture process in relation to strain rate in human cortical bone tensile failure

This article was one element of a wider research programme commissioned by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) to derive the mechanical properties of human bone at high strain rates. The research has highlighted, for the first time, that bone at high stain rates is in fact more ‘brittle’ than expected. This result has fed into simulations in the automotive industry with implications for the design of the in-car restraint systems and in litigation or accident cases, where forensic examiners are trying to piece together the evidence, to apportion blame either for criminal action or negligence in practice or design. Contact Dr David Hynd, TRL (investigations@trl.co.uk).