Comparative characteristics of the creep properties of human compact bone tissue under various specimen storage and testing conditions

Compact bone tissue is a structurally inhomogeneous material with a multiplicity of pores and channels through which, under physiological conditions, blood, lymph, and tissue fluid flow. According to [I], the fresh bone tissue of people of medium age contains 20% water by weight. However, experimenters mainly employ autopsy material which under room conditions has a tendency to dry out, with consequent changes in the mechanical properties. Investigations have shown that drying in air increases the strength of the bone tissue in tension and bending, increases the modulus of elasticity and ha=dness, and reduces the specific deformation energy and shear strength.