Decalcified coral was used as a model for osteoporosis in trabecular bone. Seven coral samples were incrementally decalcified to 31% mass loss. Porous density changes from decalcification match porous density changes in osteoporitic bone. Magnified digital images perpendicular to the growth axis, were analyzed using the mean intercept length method. Young's modulus and the yield point were determined from a compression test. Results comparing morphometric and compression test values confirm similar values and trends between equivalent comparisons in osteoporitic bone.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Baril, Sean Michael
• Drost, Christopher Dale

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 04D222M

Advisor

• Hoffman, Allen H.

Year

• 2004

Date created

• 2004-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Mechanical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright