A MECHANISTIC STUDY OF STRAIN RATE SENSITIVITY AND HIGH RATE PROPERTY OF TENDON

Clemmer, J., & Williams, L. N. (2011). A MECHANISTIC STUDY OF STRAIN RATE SENSITIVITY AND HIGH RATE PROPERTY OF TENDON. Starkville, MS: Mississippi State University.

Abstract

The ultrastructural mechanism for strain rate sensitivity of collagenous tissue has not been well studied at the collagen fibril level. The objective is to reveal the mechanistic contribution of the collagen fibril to strain rate sensitivity. Collagen fibrils underwent significantly greater fibril strain relative to global tissue strain at higher strain rates. A better understanding of tendon mechanisms at lower hierarchical levels would help establish a basis for future development of constitutive models and assist in tissue replacement design. High rate mechanical property of tendon was also studied. Tendon was compressed under high strain rate (550 /s) using a polycarbonate split Hopkinson pressure bar (PSHPB). The objectives are to investigate the tissue behavior of porcine tendon at high rates. Tendon’s high rate behavior was compared with brain and liver at both hydrated and dehydrated states to investigate how water content and ultrastructural affect high rate responses of soft tissues.