Shear loading of costal cartilage

TL;DR

This study investigates the shear loading behavior of costal cartilage through dynamic tests on human samples, providing insights into its mechanical properties and load transfer role between ribs and sternum.

Contribution

It presents new experimental data on the shear properties of costal cartilage and quantifies its Young's modulus considering calcification effects.

Findings

Costal cartilage exhibits specific shear stiffness characteristics.

Calcification influences the effective Young's modulus.

Results enhance understanding of load transfer in thoracic biomechanics.

Abstract

A series of tests were performed on a single post-mortem human subject at various length scales. First, tabletop tests were performed. Next, the ribs and intercostal muscles were tested with the view to characterize the load transfer between the ribs. Finally, the costal cartilage was tested under shear loading, as it plays an important in the transfer of the load between the ribs and the sternum. This paper reports the results of dynamic shear loading tests performed on three samples of costal cartilage harvested from a single post-mortem human subject, as well as the quantification of the effective Young's modulus estimated from the amount of cartilage calcification.