Splitting fracture in bovine bone using a porosity-based spring network model

What is it about?

We examine the specific role of the structure of the network of pores in plexiform bone in its fracture behaviour under compression. Computed tomography scan images of the sample pre- and post-compressive failure show the existence of weak planes formed by aligned thin long pores extending through the length. We show that the physics of the fracture process is captured by a two-dimensional random spring network model that reproduces well the macroscopic response and qualitative features of fracture paths obtained experimentally, as well as avalanche statistics seen in recent experiments on porcine bone.

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Why is it important?

While there has been significant effort towards experimental characterization of the structure–property relationship in bone, development of predictive models that are able to reproduce characteristic features of the complex fracture processes involved has been comparatively quiescent. Such models, if robust enough, would also be applicable in simulation of fracture for a wider class of brittle porous materials, such as wood and rock