Cracking Bones and Beyond: Using Computer Models of the Human Spine to Assess Fracture Risk

During his PhD studies, Daniel Strack worked on computer-based methods to assess fracture risk in the human spine. Vertebrae are commonly affected by osteoporosis and bone metastases, which can weaken the bone and increase the risk of fracture. Daniel developed and automated finite element models that estimate how much load a vertebra can withstand using clinical CT scans.

His work helps make these simulations more scalable and reproducible, so they can be applied in larger patient studies. The thesis contributes to the future use of patient-specific computer models for improved assessment of vertebral fracture risk.

The PhD study was completed at the Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Friday, 11 September 2026 at 13:00
Place: Building 5510, room 103, Store Audiotorium, Incuba ,Aarhus University, Åbogade 15, 8200 Aarhus N
Title of PhD thesis: Towards Scalable Finite Element Modelling for Assessment of Vertebral Fracture Risk
Contact information: Daniel Strack, e-mail: dast@mpe.au.dk, tel.: +45 87151758
Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Michael Skipper Andersen, Department of Materials and Production, Aalborg University, Denmark
Associate Professor Luigi La Barbera, Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering, “Giulio Natta” - LaBS, Politecnico di Milano, Italy
Associate Professor Michal Kazimierz Budzik (chair), Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering, Aarhus University, Denmark
Main supervisor: Associate Professor Subburaj Karupppasamy, Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering, Aarhus University, Denmark
Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defence is public.
The PhD thesis is available for reading at the Graduate School of Technical Sciences/GSTS, Ny Munkegade 120, building 1521, 8000 Aarhus C.