Evaluation of Human Bones Load Bearing Capacity with the Limit Analysis Theory

The present study investigates on the possibility of applying the Limit Analysis structural theory to predict a lower bound to the peak/collapse load of human bones. Such a prediction can be useful to prevent skeletal diseases, osteoporosis and bones fractures; a problem of great interest in biomechanics and of relevant socio-economic impact in modern societies. A constitutive model of Tsai-Wu-type in principal stress space is assumed for the human bone modelled in 3D and viewed, at a macroscopic level, as a structural element made of a composite anisotropic material. Simple numerical tests on in-silico idealized specimens of human femur are performed, analyzed and critically discussed.