PSI - Issue 79

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ScienceDirect

Procedia Structural Integrity 79 (2026) 53–64

28 th International Conference on Fracture and Structural Integrity - 3 rd Mediterranean Conference on Fracture and Structural Integrity

Finite Element Simulation of Cracked Dentin Mays H. Udah a,* , Qassim M. Doos b , Ahmed Al-Mukhtar c a,* Aeronautical Technical Engineering, University of Uruk, Baghdad, Iraq, b Mechanical Engineering Dept, College of Engineering, Baghdad University, Iraq. c Institute of Structural Mechanics, Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, Weimar, Germany, c Al-Hussain University College, Iraq

© 2025 The Authors. Published by ELSEVIER B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0) Abstract Cracking in teeth is often caused by defects, aging, or poorly designed fillings. Vertical opening fractures are particularly common. Therefore, Mode-I fracture mechanics were applied in the current simulation based on the simulated stress distribution at the dentin. Using finite element analysis, the crack path and fracture behavior were simulated. An oblique bite force of 453 N, applied at a 45° angle to the longitudinal axis of the tooth structure, was used. Minimum and maximum dentin properties were investigated to assess their influence on fracture initiation and propagation. Three different load levels were applied to examine and compare the degree of crack propagation and the effect of varying loads on crack growth. Results showed that teeth with maximum anisotropic dentin required approximately 100 N more force than those with minimum properties to transition into the crack development phase. The stress intensity factor (SIF), which determines stress concentration and crack tip propagation, was calculated for the applied loads. Higher loads resulted in higher SIF values, thereby reducing fatigue life.

Peer-review under responsibility of IGF28 - MedFract3 organizers Keywords: Crack; Dentin; Fatigue; Fracture; Stress Intensity Factor.

1. Introduction There are two primary patterns of crack development in teeth. The first pattern involves a crack that forms centrally within the tooth, while the second occurs when the crack extends outward, potentially leading to a complete fracture. When pressure is exerted on the crown of a fractured tooth, its components may separate along the fracture line,

* Corresponding author: e-Mail: mayshameed.mech@gmail.com

2452-3216 © 2025 The Authors. Published by ELSEVIER B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0) Peer-review under responsibility of IGF28 - MedFract3 organizers 10.1016/j.prostr.2025.12.307