Chapter 9: Mechanics of Biological Material

1. Be able to define mechanical stress and strain

Mechanical stress- internal force divided by the cross-sectional area of the
surface on which the internal force acts; N/m^2
a. What are the 3 principal stresses, how are they defined, and what is
their effect
i. Tension
1. An axial stress that tends to cause a pulling, or stretching,
effect on an object; stress that acts perpendicular to the
analysis plane- axial stresses
a. When an object is loaded by tension, it tends to
deform by elongating in the direction of the
external force (stretches the object)
ii. Compression
1. An axial stress that tends to cause a pushing effect on an
object
a. Acts in a line parallel to which it was applied and
the material to which it was applied
b. When an object is loaded by compression, it tends
to deform by shortening in the direction of the
external force
iii. Shear
1. A transverse stress tends to cause a sliding effect of one
object on another
a. When an object is loaded by shear, it tends to
change objects orientation
b. Be familiar with the example in the PPT on practical examples of the 3
principal stresses
2. Describe the general stress-strain relationship
Understanding the relationship between stress and strain can help to explain
the behaviors of a material under load
a. Understand the components of the stress strain curve and how they
are defined
Elastic response
1. Deformation in response to loading
a. Once load is removed, there is a return to original
shape/length
ii. Plastic Response
1. Load removed, but permanently deformed
iii. Yield Point
1. Up to yield point, structure is in its elastic region
2. Past the yield point is the structures plastic regi0on
iv. Failure
1. If the applied force continues past the plastic region, the
tissue will eventually fail
b. How do we apply the stress strain curve to training?

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i. Progressively adding stress to muscle, bone, ligament, and

tendon is critical for inducing the training effect typified by
hypertrophy, greater strength and flexibility.
1. We need to work an athlete or client into the plastic
region to create microtears in tissues so that they heal
stronger
2. If we do not safely progress the person into the plastic
region of training, the person will get injured when activity
stresses enter the plastic region
c. Be able to describe elastic and plastic behavior
Understand the material properties of bone, tendon, and ligaments
a. Bone
i. Strongest against compressive loads
ii. Weakest against shear forces
Stronger if a load is applied quicker
1. serve as levers and support
2. magnifies force and/or speed of movement
b. Tendon
c. Ligaments
Be familiar with the difference between isotropic and anisotropic materials
a. Isotropic
i. Materials have the same mechanical properties in every
direction
b. Anisotropic
i. Materials have different mechanical properties depending on the
direction of load
What are the functions of bone
a. Serve as levers and support
b. Magnifies force and speed of movement
c. Carries compressive loads of body
d. Mineral store house
e. Blood cell production (yellow and red marrow)
How is bone a dynamic tissue? What is Wolffs Law?
a. Adapts to multiple internal and external factors
b. Capacity of bone to adapt its structure to imposed loads (modeling and
remodeling)
What changes occur to bone with the aging process? Is there any difference
between men and women as it relates to this process?
a. Decreased bone mass, greater porosity (loss of cortical bone)
b. Greater loss of trabecular bone in woman
Know the difference between hyaline and fibrocartilage
a. What are they composed of, where are they found?
Hyaline
o Covers the ends of long bones at the joints
10-30% collagen
3-10% ground substance
60-80% water
Fibrocartilage
o Within joint cavities, at the edges of joints, and at the attachments of
tendons and ligaments to the bone

High fiber content

Found in
Intervertebral discs
Menisci
Labrum
Pubic symphysis
9. What is the composition and structure of tendons and ligaments? How do
they differ? How is this structure affected by disuse or immobilization?
- Tendons and Ligaments
o 70% water, 25% collagen, 5% ground substance
- Tendons
o Have more collagen
Arranged parallel to each other; in line with stresses
Very stiff and high tensile strength
Little resistance to compression or shear
- Ligaments
o Have more elastin
Less stiff and slightly weaker than tendons
- Both are affected by training and disuse; immobilization has dramatic effect
on mechanical properties of a ligament within 8-12 weeks
10.Be familiar with all the slides covering the ACL
a. Largest and strongest tendon in body
b. Commonly injured with MCL and medial meniscus
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