Role of matrix behavior in compressive fracture of bovine cortical bone

In compressive fracture of dry plexiform bone, we examine the individual roles of overall mean porosity, the connectivity of the porosity network, and the elastic as well as the failure properties of the nonporous matrix, using a random spring network model (RSNM). Porosity network structure is shown to reduce the compressive strength by up to 30%. However, the load-bearing capacity increases with an increase in either of the matrix properties-the elastic modulus or the failure strain threshold. To validate the porosity-based RSNM model with available experimental data, bone-specific failure strain thresholds for the ideal matrix of similar elastic properties were estimated to be within 60% of each other. Further, we observe the avalanche size exponents to be independent of the bone-dependent parameters as well as the structure of the porosity network.