Table 1

Summary of element type and material properties used in FEM

ComponentElement typeThickness or cross-sectional areaYoung modulus (MPa)/Stiffness ParameterPoisson ratio
Cortical bone31 Shell0.4 mm12,0000.3
Vertebral endplate32 Shell0.25 mm1,0000.2
Cancellous bone29 , 30 TetN/A4,730ρ1.56/1,987ρ1.56/1,357ρ1.56 0.2
Posterior elements33 TetN/A3,5000.25
Annulus fibrosus ground substance34 HexN/A1.360.45
Annulus fibrosus collagen fibers35 FabricN/AStress-strain curve
Nucleus pulposus31 HexN/AK 1,666.7Incompressible
Ligaments36, 37 SpringN/AHyperelasticN/A
Cartilage endplate38 8-Noded hexN/A240.4
  • Abbervations: Tet, Tetrahedron; Hex, hexahedron; NA, not available.