Abstract
The analysis of a crack in a bone-like material is performed numerically. The bone-like material is hierarchically structured and each hierarchy is structured by mineral platelets and protein matrix through staggered arrangement. Mechanical behavior of the composite can be analyzed using tension shear chain model. The Dugdale model is adopted to evaluate the fracture energy of Bone-like material. The fracture energy dissipation is assumed to concentrate within a strip near the crack tip along the prospective crack path. Fracture criterion of the bone-like material is estimated by using J integral. Effects of hierarchical level, ratio of elastic modulus of mineral to protein, aspect ratio of mineral platelet and volume fraction on J integral are investigated. It is found that the J integral decreases as elastic modulus ratio and hierarchy level increase. It is also shown that the J integral increases as the volume fraction and aspect ratio decrease.