Abstract
Compressive tests were carried out to measure the mechanical properties such as Young's modulus and strength of a pig's liver. There is no evidence showing macroscopic anisotropy in the liver although blood vessels were distributed in a quasi transversely isotropic array. Compression tests of the liver specimens which are not mechanically constrained gave more accurate stress-strain behavior rather than those of the constrained specimens. The Young's modulus and yield stress of a fresh live within 12 h after the slaughter are almost constant regardless of the presence of physiology brine solution. The intestine membrane has higher Young's modulus and maximum strength (or yield stress) than internal tissue of the liver. However, strain for crack initiation of the membrane is almost equal to yield strain of the internal tissue. Yield strain is used as a valid parameter which evaluates mechanical damage of the liver. The tangent modulus of the liver which shows viscoelastic phenomena can he approximated by a binomial function. This function can he applied to not only an soft tissue under compressive loading but also a stiffer membrane loaded in tension.
