A Multiphysics framework for coupled elastoplastic, poroviscoelastic, and transport behavior in bone-inspired architectures

Natural tissues such as trabecular bone exhibit exceptional multifunctionality by integrating hierarchical porosity, mineral phases, and adaptive mechanical behavior. Replicating this synergy in engineered materials remains a significant challenge in biomaterials design. This study presents a unified multiphysics computational framework that couples elastoplastic deformation of bone-inspired architectures, poroviscoelastic swelling–relaxation of hydrogels, and convection–diffusion transport through hydroxyapatite membranes. Image-derived bovine trabecular geometries are reconstructed and implemented in a finite element environment using COMSOL Multiphysics to preserve realistic structural heterogeneity. Elastoplastic simulations capture yielding, localized strut buckling, progressive stress redistribution, and enhanced energy dissipation under compressive loading. The poroviscoelastic formulation reproduces biphasic solvent uptake and time-dependent stress relaxation governed by coupled diffusion and network elasticity. Coupled flow–transport analyses further demonstrate that hydroxyapatite membranes regulate solute migration, exhibiting convection-dominated transport upstream and diffusion-controlled behavior within the porous domain. Unlike conventional approaches that treat mechanics, swelling, or transport in isolation, the proposed framework explicitly links geometry, stiffness, solvent mobility, and loading conditions to predict multifunctional performance. This integrated methodology provides mechanistic insight and transferable design guidelines for advanced scaffolds, membranes, and hydrogel-based systems.