New three-dimensional model based on finite element method of bone nanostructure: single TC molecule scale level.

At the macroscopic scale, the bone mechanical behavior (fracture, elastic) depends mainly on its components' nature at the nanoscopic scale (collagen, mineral). Thus, an understanding of the mechanical behavior of the elementary components is demanded to understand the phenomena that can be observed at the macroscopic scale. In this article, a new numerical model based on finite element method is proposed in order to describe the mechanical behavior of a single Tropocollagen molecule. Furthermore, a parametric study with different geometric properties covering the molecular composition and the rate hydration influence is presented. The proposed model has been tested under tensile loading. While focusing on the entropic response, the geometric parameter variation effect on the mechanical behavior of Tropocollagen molecule has been revealed using the model. Using numerical and experimental testing, the obtained numerical simulation results seem to be acceptable, showing a good agreement with those found in literature.