Application of the multiscale FEM to the modeling of cancellous bone

This paper considers the application of multiscale finite element method (FEM) to the modeling of cancellous bone as an alternative for Biot's model, the main intention of which is to decrease the extent of the necessary laboratory tests. At the beginning, the paper gives a brief explanation of the multiscale concept and thereafter focuses on the modeling of the representative volume element and on the calculation of the effective material parameters, including an analysis of their change with respect to increasing porosity. The latter part of the paper concentrates on the macroscopic calculations, which is illustrated by the simulation of ultrasonic testing and a study of the attenuation dependency on material parameters and excitation frequency. The results endorse conclusions drawn from the experiments: increasing excitation frequency and material density cause increasing attenuation.