In silico size effects in cancellous bone

Continuum theories are commonly used in the mechanical characterisation and modelling of cancellous bone. However, at the microstructural level, cancellous bone exhibits several important length scales which must be included for cancellous bone to be modelled realistically. Classical elasticity does not take into consideration these length scales; thus, the need for suitable continuum theories which enable consideration of these length scales is essential to understand the mechanical macro-properties of cancellous bone [1,2]. This study tests the hypothesis that cancellous bone will exhibit size effects when loaded in silico, equivalent to regular lattice models. Such data is essential in developing an appropriate continuum model for cancellous bone.