The dynamic fracture and prefracture response of compact bone by split Hopkinson bar methods

The split Hopkinson bar technique was used to measure some dynamic material properties of compact beef bone in compression, tension, torsion and combined torsion and compression. The prefracture response in compression was viscoelastic; a relaxation function was measured. The fracture stress in compression increased with strain rate, however, very high stresses were tolerated without fracture as long as the load was removed before failure. Residual plastic strain after load removal was obtained in combined torsion and compression, but seldom with compression alone. Some fracture stress values in biaxial stress states are presented.