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

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.