Mechanical properties of human mineralized connective tissue

Experimental work has to be tightly linked with modeling. In fact, successful modeling requires firstly comparison with experiments in order to verify its predictions or to set its range of validity. Secondly, experiments measuring the mechanical properties of tissues are needed as input to calibrate mechanical models of organs that can be used to run simulations in silico. In this chapter we wish to provide a comprehensive literature review covering the mechanical characterization of hard tissues, in particular compact bone, trabecular bone and dentine. Elastic and strength properties of such tissues are carefully reviewed, together with fracture mechanics properties when available. Properties obtained from different measurement devices are gathered and compared with each other. The anisotropy and the inelasticity of the mechanical properties of hard tissues is particularly stressed.