Experimental identification of high order Lamb waves and estimation of the mechanical properties of a dry human skull

Matteo Mazzotti, Christopher Sugino, Eetu Kohtanen, Alper Erturk, Massimo Ruzzene

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

We experimentally investigate and characterize high order Lamb wave modes in a dry human skull. Specifically, we show that the diploë supports distinct wave modes in the sub-1.0 MHz frequency regime, and we employ these modes for the estimation of equivalent mechanical properties of cortical and trabecular bones. These modes are efficiently generated in a parietal region by direct contact excitation with a wedge beam transducer, and are recorded via infrared laser vibrometry. Frequency/wavenumber data are estimated using a matrix pencil method applied to wavefield measurements recorded on the outer cortical surface. The semi-analytical finite element model of an equivalent three-layered plate provides the platform for the identification of wave modes based on their through-the-thickness profiles, and supports the estimation of equivalent mechanical properties in conjunction with an optimization algorithm developed for this purpose. The results presented herein illustrate how high order Lamb waves can be used to gain understanding of the wave properties of a human skull and to estimate the orthotropic and equivalent isotropic mechanical properties of cortical and trabecular bones.

Original languageEnglish
Article number106343
JournalUltrasonics
Volume113
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2021

Keywords

  • Cranial Lamb waves
  • Dispersion
  • Human skull
  • Orthotropicity
  • Parametric identification
  • Semi-analytical finite element method

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