Drained and Undrained Poroelastic Properties of Healthy and Pathological Bone: A Poro-Micromechanical Investigation

Poro-micromechanics allows for the quantification of poroelastic properties such as the Biot and Skempton coefficients, once a continuum micromechanics model for the material under consideration has been developed and validated. Employing such a model for the transversely isotropic elasticity of cortical and trabecular bone, we determine the tensors of Biot and Skempton coefficients as functions of the volume fractions of mineral, collagen, and the micropore space (Haversian and Volkmann canals, and the inter-trabecular space). Increase of microporosity, as experienced in osteoporosis, as well as decrease of mineral content, as experienced in osteomalacia, lead to an increase of Biot and Skempton coefficients, i. e. to magnification of the mechanical role of the marrow filling the micropore space. For quantification of the marrow pressure rise upon downfall, undrained conditions are appropriate, as can be shown by model predictions of non-destructive impact experiments.