Similar Damage Initiation but Different Failure Behavior in Trabecular and Cortical Bone Tissue

INTRODUCTION: The mechanical function of bone tissue is reflected in its microand nanostructure as well as in its composition. Numerous studies have compared the elastic mechanical properties of cortical and trabecular bone tissue and concluded that cortical bone tissue is stiffer than trabecular bone tissue [1]. However, the progression of microdamage leading to fracture and the related local strains in these two tissues during this process have not been studied so far, to the best of our knowledge. Here, we present a comparison of data from un-machined single trabeculae to similar-sized cortical bone samples that were mechanically tested in a three-point bending configuration and concomitantly imaged to assess local strains, elastic modulus as well as microdamage formation and propagation using the bone whitening effect [2].