A non-linear homogeneous model for bone-like materials under compressive load.

Using morphological data provided by computed tomography, finite element (FE) models can be used to compute the mechanical response of bone and bone-like materials without describing the complex local microarchitecture. A constitutive law is here developed and proposed for this purpose. It captures the non-linear structural behavior of bone-like materials through the use of fabric tensors. It also allows for irreversible strains using a plastic material model, allowing hardening of the yield parameters. These characteristics are expressed in a constitutive law based on the anisotropic continuum damage theory coupled with isotropic elastoplasticity in a finite strains framework. This law is implemented into Metafor, a non-linear FE software. Simulations of cylindrical samples undergoing stepwise compression are presented.