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Instrumented tensile-impact tests of bone

Objective of this investigation was to study the tensile-impact strength and elastic properties of compact bone and to correlate these with the microstructure and fracture-surface topography of the tested specimens

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Abstract

An instrumented pendulum-type impact tester was used to obtain tensile-impact properties for compact bone. Load-time histories throughout impact were recorded. Impact tests on 50 longitudinally oriented fresh-beef-bone samples yielded a proportional limit of 9.6±4.1 ksi (66.2±28.2 MPa), an ultimate stress of 17.6±5.3 ksi (121.3±36.5 MPa) and an energy-absorption capacity of 142±85 in. Ib/in.2 (24900±14900 J/m2). A static tensile strength of 14.7±2.8 ksi (101±19 MPa) was obtained from static testing of 24 additional specimens. The tensile-impact strength was 20 percent higher than the static strength. Statistically significant correlations between elastic properties, impact strength and impact energy were found. Bone microstructure and fracture-surface topography were also examined.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Engineering & Applied Science and Section of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yale University, 06510, New Haven, CT

    S. Saha (Assistant Professor)

  2. Department of Applied Mechanics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA

    W. C. Hayes (Assistant Professor)

Authors
  1. S. Saha
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  2. W. C. Hayes
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Saha, S., Hayes, W.C. Instrumented tensile-impact tests of bone. Experimental Mechanics 14, 473–478 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02323147

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