Stress-strain Relation for Great Loads on the Intermediate Bundle of the Intero sseous Membrane of the Forearm

A.E. Blangino, S. Valente, L.A. Poitevin, and L.C. Bassani (Argentina)

Keywords

Forearm, IOM, insertion, mechanical properties, stress strain curve.

Abstract

In this work we report a research which features a result that we have not found in the literature, related to the loads and stresses the inteorsseous membrane (IOM) of the forearm can resist. Maintaining the natural attachment of the intermediate descending fibers (central band) to the ulna and radius and using both bones (fixed to a frame) as clamps, we loaded the membrane in the direction of the fibers. We found a maximum value of 435.46 N and the (local) longitudinal modulus computed was 165.6 (+-112.3) MPa (region in the stress-strain curves corresponding to a load of around 135 N, in agreement with 431.3+-321.3MPa [1]) and 214.7 (+ - 207) MPa (region in the stress-strain curves corresponding to a load of around 250 N). When loading the membrane maintaining the natural union with the bones, the values of maximum load admitted were greater than the expected. The loads were placed in the arm of the lever of a photoelastic bench, in which we performed tests trying to find other effects. Careful adjustments among each of the loads allowed maintaining the tensile axis in the right position, to minimize the possibility to have shear stresses. The loads were applied during very short periods of time to avoid the appearance of viscoelastic effects [2]. The positions were registered photographically. The images were processed to obtain the data for the curves.

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