Basic Biomechanics
Basic Biomechanics
7th Edition
ISBN: 9780073522760
Author: Susan J Hall
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education
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Chapter 4, Problem 1IP
Summary Introduction

To explain: The reason why the bones of the human body are stronger in resisting compression than in resisting tension and shear.

Introduction: Bones provide the structural framework for human body, protects other body tissues, and forms a system of levers for purpose of movement along with muscles. Bones are subjected to a lot of forces like compression, tension and shear force.

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Explanation of Solution

The bone is made of collagen, hydroxypatite, calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate.

The following is the resistance strength of bone to forces:

  • Bone is strong against compression
  • Bone is intermediate against tension
  • Bone is weak against shear

Compression is the force that pushes or presses the bone. Tensile force acts on the bone and pulls in opposite direction. Shear forces act parallel to each other but in the opposite direction on the object so that one part of the object (bone) is displace relative to another part.

About 60-70% of the bone is made up of the minerals, calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate. They give stiffness to bones and constitute the primary determiners of compressive strength and thus they have strong resistance against compression. The second material is collagen, a protein that constitutes about 20 to 30% of the bones which gives bones its flexibility and thus the resistance against tensile force. The bones are not made of materials to withstand shear force and therefore, it has weak resistance against shear force.

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