Post-yield Energy Research Articles

Experimental Study on the Seismic Performance of Insulated Single-Sided Composite Shear Walls under Different Shear Spans and Axial Compression Ratios

The new insulated single-sided composite shear wall (NISCSW) composition involves setting a precast wall panel on one side and an insulation panel on the other side, with a middle cavity for casting concrete. To investigate the seismic performance of NISCSW under different shear spans and axial compression ratios, eight specimens are made, including six composite and two cast-in-place walls. The shear span ratio is controlled at 1.2 and 1.9, and the axial compression ratio is controlled at 0.1, 0.3, and 0.4. The specimens are subjected to quasistatic tests to analyze failure modes, hysteresis characteristics, stiffness degradation, displacement ductility, and energy dissipation capacity and to compare the seismic performance of the composite and cast-in-place walls. Results show that for each composite specimen, under the same axial compression ratio, the large shear span ratio specimen has a lower ultimate bearing capacity and faster stiffness degradation but better ductility and postyield energy dissipation capacity. Under the same shear span ratio, the high axial compression ratio specimen had a higher ultimate bearing capacity, slightly worse ductility, and similar stiffness degradation and energy dissipation capacity compared to other specimens. Compared with the cast-in-place specimen with the same axial compression ratio, the composite specimen failure mode and hysteresis characteristics are similar, and the ductility and energy dissipation capacity are comparable to the cast-in-place shear wall specimen, indicating that NISCSW has similar seismic performance to the cast-in-place shear wall under conditions of a large shear span ratio and high axial compression ratio. Based on the test results, the program ABAQUS is used to simulate the specimens. Compared with the test results, the simulated specimen failure mode is consistent with the test results, and the hysteresis and skeleton curves are consistent with the test curve, indicating that the model is correct, reliable, and can be verified with test results.

Numerical and experimental investigations of novel nature inspired open lattice cellular structures for enhanced stiffness and specific energy absorption

Lattice structures are meant for light weight structure with a high strength to weight ratio used to carry high loads and high energy absorption capabilities. In the lattice structures, the non-stochastic arrangement of members has the ability to control and customize their mechanical properties. The recent developments in additive manufacturing provides freedom in design and gives flexibility to manufacture tailored complex novel lattice structures. In the present investigation, the traditional 2.5D honeycomb and the tessellated open lattice structures with basic crystalline arrangements of the members are considered to study the load carrying capacity, stiffness and energy absorption capabilities by keeping constant volume for each lattice. The results through the experiments and finite element analysis are compared with a novel open lattices structure to show significant improvement in stiffness and high energy absorption with the volume of the material. However, the novel open lattice structure has displayed prominent post yield plateau stresses and energy absorption with sacrificing stiffness and strength significantly.

An experimental study on the durability properties of abaca fiber concrete

The addition of natural fibers in concrete has effectively proved to increase the mechanical strength and durability of concrete in the recent years. They help to tackle the brittle response and limiting post-yield energy absorption by forming a bridge across the cracks in concrete. This study assesses the durability properties of abaca fiber reinforced concrete (AFRC) by surface water absorption test, rapid chloride permeability test (RCPT) and sorptivity test. The optimum percentage of abaca fiber (AF) to be used was chosen to be 0.5 % as it gave the maximum compressive strength value in concrete and a small amount of superplasticizer has been added to reduce the water content in the mix design to match the high water absorption capability of AF. The respective tests were performed to observe the improved properties of water resistance and resistance to chloride ions penetration after 3, 7, 28, 56, 90 and 180 days of curing. It has been found that the addition of AF enhances the ability of concrete to reduce permeability better compared to the effect of conventional concrete (CC).

Influence of non-enzymatic glycation on the mechanical properties of cortical bone

Poor bone quality induced by non-enzymatic glycation (NEG) of bone tissue in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is regarded as the major factor of bone fragility and affecting bone mechanical properties. A comprehensive and systemic mechanical investigation for evaluating the effect of NEG on bone was still lacking. In order to provide additional information for the bone quality of T2DM, the effects of NEG on mechanical properties of cortical bone were investigated in terms of elastoplasticity, fracture toughness and viscoelasticity. All samples of cortical bone, including the samples of strength test (n = 20), fracture toughness test (n = 40, quasi-static and fall-like conditions with displacement rates of 10−3 mm/s and 10 mm/s, respectively) and stress relaxation test (n = 20), were harvested from bovine tibiae. The samples of each test were equally divided into incubated-control group and ribose-incubated group. All mechanical tests were performed after incubating all samples for 15 days. Post-yield strain (p = 0.014), post-yield energy (p < 0.0001) and damage fraction (p = 0.040) of ribose-incubated group were significantly lower than those of incubated-control group, but secant modulus (p = 0.029) of ribose-incubated group was significantly higher than that of incubated-control group. In quasi-static condition, the plastic contribution Jpl of fracture toughness (p = 0.043) of ribose-incubated group was significantly lower than that of incubated-control group. In fall-like condition, there were no differences in Jpl, elastic contribution Jel and J-integral in both two groups. The quasi-static Jel (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001) of incubated-control and ribose-incubated groups and J-integral (p = 0.007) of incubated-control group were all significantly higher than those of fall-like condition. In stress relaxation test, initial modulus E0 (p = 0.040) and equilibrium modulus (p = 0.029) of ribose-incubated group were significantly higher than those of incubated-control group. Reductions of relaxation modulus, which were the differences between two adjacent time points within 700 s–3000 s for ribose-incubated group, were significantly lower than those of incubated-control group. NEG could decrease the post-yield properties and quasi-static facture toughness of cortical bone, especially the plastic contribution of quasi-static fracture toughness. It could also decrease the viscoelasticity of cortical bone. The present study confirmed the negative effects of NEG on the mechanical properties of cortical bone in terms of elastoplasticity, fracture toughness and viscoelasticity, but NEG had no significant effect on the fracture toughness of cortical bone at fall-like loading. These results provided more evidence for increased fragility of cortical bone in patients with T2DM.

Investigation of Mechanical, Material, and Compositional Determinants of Human Trabecular Bone Quality in Type 2 Diabetes.

Increased bone fragility and reduced energy absorption to fracture associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) cannot be explained by bone mineral density alone. This study, for the first time, reports on alterations in bone tissue's material properties obtained from individuals with diabetes and known fragility fracture status. To investigate the role of T2D in altering biomechanical, microstructural, and compositional properties of bone in individuals with fragility fracture. Femoral head bone tissue specimens were collected from patients who underwent replacement surgery for fragility hip fracture. Trabecular bone quality parameters were compared in samples of 2 groups, nondiabetic (n = 40) and diabetic (n = 30), with a mean duration of disease 7.5 ± 2.8 years. No significant difference was observed in aBMD between the groups. Bone volume fraction (BV/TV) was lower in the diabetic group due to fewer and thinner trabeculae. The apparent-level toughness and postyield energy were lower in those with diabetes. Tissue-level (nanoindentation) modulus and hardness were lower in this group. Compositional differences in the diabetic group included lower mineral:matrix, wider mineral crystals, and bone collagen modifications-higher total fluorescent advanced glycation end-products (fAGEs), higher nonenzymatic cross-link ratio (NE-xLR), and altered secondary structure (amide bands). There was a strong inverse correlation between NE-xLR and postyield strain, fAGEs and postyield energy, and fAGEs and toughness. The current study is novel in examining bone tissue in T2D following first hip fragility fracture. Our findings provide evidence of hyperglycemia's detrimental effects on trabecular bone quality at multiple scales leading to lower energy absorption and toughness indicative of increased propensity to bone fragility.

InternalBrace Has Biomechanical Properties Comparable to Suture Button but Less Rigid than Screw in Ligamentous Lisfranc Model

Category:Midfoot/Forefoot, TraumaIntroduction/Purpose:Lisfranc injuries occurring between the medial cuneiform and base of the 2nd metatarsal require anatomic fixation. Suture button and screws are standard techniques for fixation, but the screw may decrease physiologic motion, whereas suture buttons may cause increased soft tissue irritation and iatrogenic cartilage damage. Potential benefits of the InternalBrace include physiologic motion, decreased iatrogenic damage, collagen ingrowth, limited bony erosion and decreased soft tissue irritation. In light of these potential benefits, no studies have investigated the biomechanical properties of the InternalBrace in a Lisfranc injury model. However, it is unknown whether there is significant difference in the biomechanical properties of the IB compared to the screw, or SB during load to failure, and cyclical loading.Methods:Three groups of sawbones were fixed together with either a 3.5 mm screw, SB, or IB, composed of a curved button, fibertape, and 4.75 mm biotenodesis screw. Sawbone constructs were held in a mechanical testing system (Model 809, MTS Systems Corp, Minneapolis MN). The first three groups of 10 were loaded in axial tension at 0.5mm/sec until failure to determine load-displacement data. Yield, stiffness, ultimate strength (US), yield energy, post-yield energy and ultimate strength energy were calculated. Three more groups of 8 constructs were loaded in-vitro at cyclical physiologic loads until displacement of 1.5 mm occurred. Constructs were first loaded for 10,000 cycles at 69 N (estimate for 50% body weight or assisted walking). Surviving specimens were loaded at 138 N (normal walk) for an additional 10,000 cycles and then 207 N (jog) for an additional 10,000 cycles. Displacement was recorded. The biomechanical properties were then compared between groups.Results:When loaded in axial tension at 0.5mm/sec until failure, the screw was found to be the stiffest construct (2,240 N/mm), while the InternalBrace (200 N/mm) was stiffer than the suture button (133 N/mm). Qualitatively, the InternalBrace was also found to hold load more consistently and for larger displacement prior to failure when compared to the suture button. Cyclic loading was performed with 10,000 cycles of 69 N, 138 N, and 207 N. The screw had the greatest resistance to fatigue. The InternalBrace maintained stiffness as well or better than the suture button, but the fatigue life was shorter than that of the suture button.Conclusion:To our knowledge, the biomechanical properties of the IB have not been compared to screw and SB for ligamentous lisfranc injuries. This study gives valuable information about the mechanical integrity of InternalBrace and supports continued use. However, further studies are warranted before making conclusions regarding early weight bearing.

Torsional and axial compressive properties of tibiotarsal bones of red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis).

OBJECTIVE To describe the torsional and axial compressive properties of tibiotarsal bones of red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis). SAMPLE 16 cadaveric tibiotarsal bones from 8 red-tailed hawks. PROCEDURES 1 tibiotarsal bone from each bird was randomly assigned to be tested in torsion, and the contralateral bone was tested in axial compression. Intact bones were monotonically loaded in either torsion (n = 8) or axial compression (8) to failure. Mechanical variables were derived from load-deformation curves. Fracture configurations were described. Effects of sex, limb side, and bone dimensions on mechanical properties were assessed with a mixed-model ANOVA. Correlations between equivalent torsional and compressive properties were determined. RESULTS Limb side and bone dimensions were not associated with any mechanical property. During compression tests, mean ultimate cumulative energy and postyield energy for female bones were significantly greater than those for male bones. All 8 bones developed a spiral diaphyseal fracture and a metaphyseal fissure or fracture during torsional tests. During compression tests, all bones developed a crushed metaphysis and a fissure or comminuted fracture of the diaphysis. Positive correlations were apparent between most yield and ultimate torsional and compressive properties. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The torsional and axial compressive properties of tibiotarsal bones described in this study can be used as a reference for investigations into fixation methods for tibiotarsal fractures in red-tailed hawks. Although the comminuted and spiral diaphyseal fractures induced in this study were consistent with those observed in clinical practice, the metaphyseal disruption observed was not and warrants further research.

LOX-related collagen crosslink changes act as an initiator of bone fragility in a ZDF rats model

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) results in bone abnormalities that manifest as increased bone fragility. Bone consists of two phases, the mineral phase and the matrix phase, and disorders in both are seen in DM2. However, the phase in which DM2 mediated bone fragility is initiated is still unknown. In this study, a male Zucker diabetic fatty (fa/fa) (ZDF) rat model was used to investigate the underlying mechanism initiating DM2 mediated bone fragility. The fracture surface morphology, pre- and post-yield bone mechanical behavior, insoluble collagen volume, lysyl oxidase family (LOX) enzyme levels and correlation analysis was performed to determine the relationship between insoluble collagen and post-yield behavior. Four weeks after the induction of diabetes, insoluble collagen was decreased in only the matrix phase in diabetic rats. Consistently, mechanical testing of the bone showed changes only in post-yield behavior. Diabetic rats also had decreased levels of enzymes involved in insoluble collagen formation (LOX and LOXL1 families). Correlation analysis demonstrated that insoluble collagen was a positive regressor of post-yield displacement (R = 0.894, P < 0.001) and post-yield energy (R = 0.918, P < 0.001). Together, these findings suggest that bone fragility in DM2 is initiated in the matrix phase and that the LOX family may play a critical part in the pathogenesis of DM2 mediated bone fragility.

InternalBrace has Comparable Stiffness and Strength as Tightrope for Lisfranc Fixation

Category: Sports, Biomechanics Introduction/Purpose: Lisfranc injuries are characterized by disruption between the medial cuneiform and base of the second metatarsal. Conventional interfragmentary screws decreases the amount of diastasis, however is believed to decrease the natural physiological movement of the joint compared to suture button (Tightrope, Arthrex, Inc., Naples, FL). The InternalBrace (IB, Arthrex, Inc., Naples, FL) allows physiologic movement and collagen ingrowth, while also decreasing iatrogenic bone loss. It also prevents erosion of the suture button into the medial cuneiform and prevents irritation of the tibialis anterior tendon. We hypothesized that there was no significant difference in the mechanical properties of these three constructs. Methods: Three groups of 10 sawbone models were used in this study. Two fourth generation 20 mm cylinder sawbones with open cell foam were fixed together with either a 3.5 mm conventional screw, mini Tightrope or IB with a curved button and 4.75 mm biotenodesis screw. Sawbone constructs were held in a mechanical testing system (Model 809, MTS Systems Corp, Minneapolis MN) using custom fixtures. Constructs were loaded in axial tension at 0.5mm/sec until failure. Load-displacement data were plotted for each test. Yield, stiffness, ultimate strength (US), yield energy, post-yield energy and ultimate strength energy were calculated Additionally, the load and energy to 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm and 1.5 mm of displacement were captured to relate strength at clinically relevant displacements. The residuals of an ANOVA on all mechanical testing results were not normally distributed. Therefore non-parametric comparison was used to compare fixation types (Proc NPAR1WAY, SAS 9.4, SAS Institute). Results: Compared to IB, the screw demonstrated greater stiffness, yield load and energy, and ultimate load and energy, with smaller yield, ultimate and failure displacement. When comparing the Tightrope and IB, there was no difference in stiffness (p=0.82), although the Tightrope performed greater in terms of having a larger yield load, energy and displacement, a larger ultimate strength load, energy and displacement, and a larger failure load, energy and displacement. When assessing the load at various distances of displacement, there was no significant difference between the load at 0.5 mm displacement (p=0.5, Figure 1). At greater displacement, the load was greater in the Tightrope than the IB (Figure 1). Conclusion: In this study, IB has shown proper stiffness and strength for fixation of ligamentous lisfranc injury. However, if a diastasis of &gt;0.5 mm is evident, concerns for a clinical failure should be examined. This is the first study examining the use of an IB for treatment of a ligamentous lisfranc injury. The data supports its current clinical indications and further studies in cadaveric models are recommended.

Age and sex alone are insufficient to predict human rib structural response to dynamic A-P loading

Thoracic injuries from motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) are common in children and the elderly and are associated with a high rate of mortality for both groups. Rib fractures, in particular, are linked to high mortality rates which increase with the number of fractures sustained. Anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs) and computational models have been developed to improve vehicle safety, however these tools are constructed based on limited physical datasets. To-date, no study has explored variation of rib structural properties across the entire age spectrum with data obtained using the same experimental methodology to allow for comparison. One-hundred eighty-four ribs from 93 post mortem human subjects (PMHS) (70 male, 23 female; ages 4–99) were subjected to dynamic bending tests simulating a frontal impact to the thorax. Structural mechanical properties were calculated and a multi-level statistical model quantified the sample variance as explained by age and sex. Displacement (δX), peak force (Fpeak), linear structural stiffness (K), energy absorption to fracture (Utot), and plastic properties including post-yield energy absorption (UPl), plastic displacement (δPl), and the ratio of elastic to secant stiffness (K-ratio) all showed negative relationships with age, while only Fpeak, K, and Utot were dependent on sex. Despite these relationships being statistically significant, only 7–39% of variance is explained by age and only 3–17% of variance is explained by sex. This demonstrates that variability in bone properties is more complex than simply chronological age- and sex-dependence and should be explored in the context of biological mechanisms instead.

Nonlinear line-element modeling of flexural reinforced concrete walls

The research presented here developed a model for simulating the nonlinear cyclic response of flexure-controlled concrete walls, which meets the dual objectives of accuracy and computational efficiency. The proposed model represents a significant advancement in that it provides accurate simulation of the dominate failure mechanism exhibited by flexural walls in the laboratory and field: compression-controlled failure characterized by simultaneous crushing of concrete and buckling of longitudinal reinforcement. The first steps in the model development effort comprised assembly of an experimental database and review of current modeling approaches for walls (e.g., lumped plasticity, distributed plasticity, and continuum elements). Model evaluation indicated that the most viable option to achieve accuracy and efficiency was the use of beam–column line elements with fiber-type cross-section models at the integration points. Initially, both displacement-based and force-based element formulations were evaluated; however, the displacement-based formulation resulted in an inaccurate representation of the axial force distribution along the length of the element. Therefore, only the force-based formulation was chosen for further study. The basic model included standard 1D constitutive models for confined concrete, plain concrete and reinforcing steel. Comparing simulated and measured response data showed that the concrete and steel material models must be regularized using a mesh-dependent characteristic length and a material-dependent post-yield energy to enable accurate, mesh-objective simulation of strength loss due to compression failure. The post-yield energy values were determined using relevant experimental data, an important but missing component of prior research on material regularization. The results of this study show that use of the regularized constitutive models significantly improved the accuracy of response predictions.

Effects of mineral content on the fracture properties of equine cortical bone in double-notched beams

We recently developed a method to measure cortical bone fracture initiation toughness using a double-notched beam in four-point bending. This method was used to test the hypothesis that mineralization around the two notch roots is correlated with fracture toughness and crack extension (physical damage). Total energy absorbed to failure negatively correlated with average mineralization of the beam (r2=0.62), but not with notch root mineralization. Fracture initiation toughness was positively correlated to mineralization at the broken notch root (r2=0.34). Crack length extension at the unbroken notch was strongly negatively correlated with the average mineralization of the notch roots (r2=0.81) whereas crack length extension at the broken notch did not correlate with any of the mineralization measurements. Mineralization at the notch roots and the average mineralization contributed independently to the mechanical and damage properties. The data are consistent with a hypothesis that a) high notch root mineralization results in less stable crack length extension but high force to initiate unstable crack propagation while b) higher average mineralization leads to low post-yield (and total) energy absorption to failure.

A SHORT-TERM FREE-FALL LANDING ENHANCES BONE FORMATION AND BONE MATERIAL PROPERTIES

To investigate the effects of a short-term free-fall landing course on local bone metabolism and biomaterial properties, 32 female Wistar rats (7 week old) were randomly assigned to three groups: L30 (n = 11), L10 (n = 11) and CON (n = 10). Animals in the L30 and L10 groups were subjected to 30 and 10 free-fall landings per day, respectively, from a height of 40 cm for five consecutive days. Animals' ulnae were studied using methods of dynamic histomorphometry, tissue geometry, biomaterial measurements and collagen fiber orientation (CFO) analysis. In dynamic histomorphometry analysis, periosteal as well as endosteal mineral apposition rates (MAR, μm/day) were significantly higher in L30 group than in the CON group (p &lt; 0.05). In addition, the periosteal bone formation rate (BFR/BS, μm2/μm3/year) was significantly higher in the L10 and L30 groups (p &lt; 0.05). The ulnae of the animals in the two landing groups were higher in post-yield energy without significant changes in CFO, tissue size or tissue weight measurements. In conclusion, a short-term free-fall landing training produced a slight, but significant, higher bone formation in the ulnae of young female rats. Enhanced tissue biomaterial properties did not accompany size-related changes, suggesting that bone adapting to mechanical loading begins with changes in tissue-level properties.

Gender Differences in Bone Adapting to Endurance Training in Wistar Rats

PURPOSE: To investigate the gender differences in bone material properties adapting to endurance training. METHODS: Wistar rats (7 weeks old) were randomly divided to male and female control groups (MCON and FCON, n=10 for each) and male and female exercise groups (MEXE and FEXE, n=11 for each). Animals in exercise groups subjected to an 8-week endurance running training with a protocol of 15 ∼ 28m/min, 60min/day and 5days/week. Two-way (gender×exercise) ANOVA was used for statistical analysis (α=.05). RESULTS: Significant main effects in gender (p<.001) and exercise (p<.001) were shown in body weight (BW), that male rats were higher than female rats (382.8±5.8 vs. 282.6±5.9 g) and exercise rats were lower than non-exercise rats (316.1±5.8 vs. 349.3±6.0 g).Simple main effects analysis showed that only the MEXE group was significantly lower in BW than the MCON group (353.5±8.0 vs. 412.1±8.4). In biomaterial properties, femora of male rats were significantly higher in yield load (YL, 217±4.9 vs. 147.6±4.9 N), ultimate load (UL, 249.2±6.0 vs. 165.2±6.0 N), yield load energy (YL energy, 54.5±2.1 vs. 37.3±2.1 mJ), ultimate load energy (UL energy, 100.8±4.9 vs. 68.3±4.9 mJ), post-yield energy (PY energy, 46.3±4.7 vs. 31.0±4.7 mJ) and stiffness (529.2±20.7 vs. 385.6±20.7 mm/N) as compared to female rats. Conversely, after eliminating the factor of tissue size, male rats were significant lower in yield stress (YS, 151.8±3.9 vs. 183.4±3.9 MPa) and Young's modulus (4.9±0.3 vs. 7.7±0.3 GPa). In the main effects for exercise, exercise rats were lower than control rats in CSMI (12.3±0.6 vs. 14.4±0.6 mm4), cortical area (7.4±0.2 vs. 8.1±0.2 mm2), YL (174.9±4.9 vs. 189.8 .(N 6.0±215.9.vs 6.0±198.5)UL,(N 4.9±3.0±58.8.vs 3.0±50.2)Simple main effect analysis showed that YL energy was significant lower in the MEXE group as compared to the MCON group 0.1±7.0)and phosphorous (dl/mg 0.1±10.2.vs 0.1±8.8)Serum calcium.(mJ vs. 6.4±0.1 mg/dl) were significantly lower and higher in male rats, respectively. In histomorphometry, male rats showed significantly lower bone volume ratio (17.0±1.2 vs. 20.7±1.1%) but higher trabecular thickness (110.6±1.6 vs. 40.8±1.5μm). CONCLUSIONS: Bone material properties adapting to endurance training were gender-dependant without showing disturbances in status of bone metabolism.

Landing Produced Different Adaptation Behaviors On Bone Biomaterial Between Fore-limb And Hind-limb In Rats

Mechanical loading induced tissue strain has been mentioned as a critical factor to stimulate more bone formation. Typical jumping movement includes two phases, landing and take off. Landing phase generally produced a higher ground reaction force (GRF) and subsequently a higher strain rate would generate on bone tissue. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a short-term free-fall landing training on biomechanical properties of ulnae and femora in growing female rats. METHODS: Thirty-two female Wistar rats (7-week-old) were randomly assigned into three groups, which were the L30 (n=11), L10 (n=11) and CON (n=10) groups. Animals of the L30 and L10 groups respectively subjected to 30 and 10 free-fall landings per day from a height of 40 cm for five days. Landing GRF was recorded on day 1 and day 5. Biomechanical properties measurements were performed on animals' ulnae and femora. One-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. When statistical significance was shown (p<0.05), pair-wise comparisons were made using the Fisher's LSD method. RESULTS: In GRF, significant differences were shown between hind-limbs and fore-limbs. In biomechanical test, ulnae of two landing groups showed significantly higher post-yield energy (mJ) (L10: 23.7±2.1, L30: 25.8±1.4 VS. CON: 18.7±1.2, p<0.05) and marginally fracture energy (mJ) as compared to the CON group (L10: 36.1±2.3, L30: 34.3±2.5 VS. CON: 28.8±2.0, p=0.073). In femora, however, post-yield energy (mJ) (L10: 27.7±3.97, L30: 27.0±4.10 VS. CON: 42.5±5.89, p<0.05) and ultimate toughness (mJ/mm3) was significantly higher in the CON group as compared to the L10 or L30 group (L10: 3.1±0.1, L30: 3.3±0.1 VS. CON: 4.2±0.4, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Bone adapting to mechanical loading is site-specific and timing dependent. Landing induced bone matrix reorganization (e.g. integration between cross-links and collagen) and its contribution to tissue biomaterial properties are valuable for further research.

Study on durability of natural fibre concrete composites using mechanical strength and microstructural properties

Investigations to overcome the brittle response and limiting post-yield energy absorption of concrete led to the development of fibre reinforced concrete using discrete fibres within the concrete mass. Out of the commonly used fibres, easily available low cost natural fibres are renewable source materials. Though these fibres are ecologically advantageous, they have some limitations such as lower durability and lesser strength. But recent research provides several treatment processes to enhance the durability of natural fibres. In this paper, the durability of natural fibres such as coconut coir and sugarcane bagasse has been reported by conducting an experimental investigation. This investigation includes two parts. The first part focuses on the determination of mechanical strength properties such as compressive, tensile, modulus of rupture and flexural properties of natural fibre reinforced concrete specimens once every 3 months for a period for 2 years under alternate wetting and drying conditions. Gain or loss in strength of composite concrete at 9 intervals were computed and are reported here. The second part covers the microstructural properties of fresh natural fibres in as received condition and natural fibres reacted with concrete under accelerated curing conditions for two years. SEM and EDAC test results are discussed.

Swimming Training Increases the Post-Yield Energy of Bone in Young Male Rats

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of non-weight-bearing exercise on growing bone. Male Wistar rats (7 week-old) were assigned to one baseline control group, one control group and two swimming training groups, which were trained with 2 and 4% body-weight mass added, respectively. After an 8-week training period, three groups showed significant development compared to the baseline control group. Among the three 15-week-old groups, swimming-trained rats were lower in body weight (BW), densitometry and size-related measurements. In femoral biomechanical testing, swimming training groups were significantly lower in yield moment and ultimate moment, which may be due to a significantly lower long bone cross-sectional moment of inertia. However, the two swimming groups were higher in post-yield energy absorption and displacement. Further, in estimated tissue-level biomaterial properties, no differences were shown in yield stress, strain or toughness among the three groups. Using BW as a covariate, results of ANCOVA showed no differences in size-related parameters among the three groups, and some parameters were even higher in the two swimming groups. Regarding Pearson's correlation, size-related parameters correlated well to BW and whole bone strength but not to tissue post-yield behaviors. In conclusion, when compared to age-matched control group, swimming rats showed lower bone strength and lower yield energy absolutely at the structural level, but similar yield stress and yield toughness at the tissue level. Moreover, swimming training benefited growing bone in post-yield behaviors. Further studies should investigate the parameters that contribute to this exercise-induced post-yield behavior.

Endurance treadmill running training benefits the biomaterial quality of bone in growing male Wistar rats

This study investigated the effects of endurance running training on the bones of growing rats. Thirty-two male Wistar rats (7 weeks old) were assigned to a sedentary control group (CON, n = 10), a continuous endurance running group (CEN, n = 10), or an intermittent endurance running group (IEN, n = 12). After an 8-week training period, both exercise groups had significantly less body weight (BW) gain but higher aerobic capacity, shown by increased muscle citrate synthase (CS) activity. Bone area (BA), areal bone mineral density (aBMD), and bone mineral content (BMC) were measured by dual-energy Xray absorptiometry (DXA) in the total femur and sections of femora. Except for showing a significantly higher aBMD in total femora, the CON group was only slightly and nonsignificantly higher in other DXA measurements. In tissue weight measurements, the CON group showed a nonsignificantly higher tissue dry weight (P = 0.146), but a significantly lower tissue water content ratio (WCR, %) as compared to the exercise group. Despite having nonsignificantly lower long bone cross-sectional parameters, both exercise groups showed significantly better biomaterial properties, as measured by a three-point bending test. In extrinsic analysis, femora of the two exercise groups showed no difference in bending load and stiffness, but were significantly higher in post-yield bending energy and total ultimate bending energy (P < 0.05). Similar phenomena were revealed in tissue-level measurements; the CEN and IEN groups were significantly higher in ultimate toughness and post-yield toughness (P < 0.05). Higher post-yield energy shown by two exercise groups implied a change in bone matrix organization. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that two endurance treadmill training modes benefit bone, with subjects showing better tissue biomaterial properties without significantly increasing aBMD, BMC, or bone dimension. Further study would be valuable to investigate the effects of endurance running on other components of bone, such as organization of bone matrix and its relationship with bone biomaterial properties.

Mechanical behavior of human cortical bone in cycles of advancing tensile strain for two age groups

The capacity of bone for post-yield energy dissipation decreases with age. To gain information on the causes of such a change, we examined age-related changes in the mechanical behavior of human cadaveric bone as a function of progressive deformation. In this study, tensile specimens from tibiae of nine middle aged and eight elderly donors were loaded till failure in an incremental and cyclic (load-dwell-unload-dwell-reload) scheme. The elastic modulus, maximum stress, permanent strain, stress relaxation, permanent strain energy, elastic release strain energy, and hysteresis energy were determined in each loading cycle at incremental strains. Similar with previous work, the results of the present study also indicated that elderly bone failed at much lower strains compared to middle aged bone. However, no significant differences in the mechanical behavior of bone were observed between the two age groups except for the premature failure of elderly bone. After yielding, the energy dissipation and permanent strain of bone appeared to linearly increase with increasing strain applied, while nonlinear changes occurred in the modulus loss and stress relaxation with increasing strain. Moreover, stress relaxation tended to peak at 1% strain beyond which few elderly bone specimens survived. This study suggests that damaging mechanisms in bone vary with deformation, and aging affects the post-yield mechanisms, thus giving rise to the age-related differences in the mechanical properties of bone, especially the capacity of the tissue for energy dissipation.

Age‐related factors affecting the postyield energy dissipation of human cortical bone

The risk of bone fracture depends in part on tissue quality, not just the size and mass. This study assessed the postyield energy dissipation of cortical bone in tension as a function of age and composition. Specimens were prepared from tibiae of human cadavers in which male and female donors were divided into two age groups: middle aged (51 to 56 years, n = 9) and elderly (72 to 90 years, n = 8). By loading, unloading, and reloading a specimen with rest periods inserted in between, tensile properties at incremental strain levels were assessed. In addition, postyield toughness was estimated and partitioned as plastic strain energy related to permanent deformation, released elastic strain energy related to stiffness loss, and hysteresis energy related to viscous behavior. Porosity, mineral and collagen content, and collagen crosslinks of each specimen were also measured to determine the micro- and ultrastructural properties of the tissue. Age affected all the energy terms plus strength but not elastic stiffness. The postyield energy terms were correlated with porosity, pentosidine (a marker of nonenzymatic crosslinks), and collagen content, all of which varied significantly with age. General linear models suggested that pentosidine concentration and collagen content provided the best explanation of the age-related decrease in the postyield energy dissipation. Among them, pentosidine concentration had the greatest contribution to plastic strain energy and was the best explanatory variable of damage accumulation.