Mathematical modeling of the stress strain-strain rate behavior of bone using the Ramberg-Osgood equation.

The Ramberg-Osgood equation is used to model the viscoplastic properties of compact bone. Because of the exponential nature of this equation a special optimization technique is used to curve fitting. Results are presented for the application of this equation to three sets of strain rate dependent stress-strain curves from the literature. Good to very good curve fits are achieved. This technique holds promise both as a relatively simple means of quantifying the viscoplastic nature of compact bone response and also as a mechanism for mathematically modeling that behavior.