A Microstructural Study of Load Distribution in Cartilage: A Comparison of Stress Relaxation versus Creep Loading

The compressive response of articular cartilage has been extensively investigated and most studies have focussed largely on the directly loaded matrix. However, especially in relation to the tissue microstructure, less is known about load distribution mechanisms operating outside the directly loaded...

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Main Authors: Ashvin Thambyah, V. M. van Heeswijk, C. C. van Donkelaar, Neil Broom
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2015-01-01
Series:Advances in Materials Science and Engineering
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/952879
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author Ashvin Thambyah
V. M. van Heeswijk
C. C. van Donkelaar
Neil Broom
author_facet Ashvin Thambyah
V. M. van Heeswijk
C. C. van Donkelaar
Neil Broom
author_sort Ashvin Thambyah
collection DOAJ
description The compressive response of articular cartilage has been extensively investigated and most studies have focussed largely on the directly loaded matrix. However, especially in relation to the tissue microstructure, less is known about load distribution mechanisms operating outside the directly loaded region. We have addressed this issue by using channel indentation and DIC microscopy techniques that provide visualisation of the matrix microstructural response across the regions of both direct and nondirect loading. We hypothesise that, by comparing the microstructural response following stress relaxation and creep compression, new insights can be revealed concerning the complex mechanisms of load bearing. Our results indicate that, with stress relaxation, the initial mode of stress decay appears to primarily involve relaxation of the surface layer. In the creep loading protocol, the main mode of stress release is a lateral distribution of load via the mid matrix. While these two modes of stress redistribution have a complex relationship with the zonally differentiated tissue microstructure and the depth of strain, four mechanostructural mechanisms are proposed to describe succinctly the load responses observed.
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spelling doaj-art-49ec1847a0ec418889f45a4c66fd7f0b2025-08-20T02:39:22ZengWileyAdvances in Materials Science and Engineering1687-84341687-84422015-01-01201510.1155/2015/952879952879A Microstructural Study of Load Distribution in Cartilage: A Comparison of Stress Relaxation versus Creep LoadingAshvin Thambyah0V. M. van Heeswijk1C. C. van Donkelaar2Neil Broom3Experimental Tissue Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New ZealandDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, NetherlandsDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, NetherlandsExperimental Tissue Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New ZealandThe compressive response of articular cartilage has been extensively investigated and most studies have focussed largely on the directly loaded matrix. However, especially in relation to the tissue microstructure, less is known about load distribution mechanisms operating outside the directly loaded region. We have addressed this issue by using channel indentation and DIC microscopy techniques that provide visualisation of the matrix microstructural response across the regions of both direct and nondirect loading. We hypothesise that, by comparing the microstructural response following stress relaxation and creep compression, new insights can be revealed concerning the complex mechanisms of load bearing. Our results indicate that, with stress relaxation, the initial mode of stress decay appears to primarily involve relaxation of the surface layer. In the creep loading protocol, the main mode of stress release is a lateral distribution of load via the mid matrix. While these two modes of stress redistribution have a complex relationship with the zonally differentiated tissue microstructure and the depth of strain, four mechanostructural mechanisms are proposed to describe succinctly the load responses observed.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/952879
spellingShingle Ashvin Thambyah
V. M. van Heeswijk
C. C. van Donkelaar
Neil Broom
A Microstructural Study of Load Distribution in Cartilage: A Comparison of Stress Relaxation versus Creep Loading
Advances in Materials Science and Engineering
title A Microstructural Study of Load Distribution in Cartilage: A Comparison of Stress Relaxation versus Creep Loading
title_full A Microstructural Study of Load Distribution in Cartilage: A Comparison of Stress Relaxation versus Creep Loading
title_fullStr A Microstructural Study of Load Distribution in Cartilage: A Comparison of Stress Relaxation versus Creep Loading
title_full_unstemmed A Microstructural Study of Load Distribution in Cartilage: A Comparison of Stress Relaxation versus Creep Loading
title_short A Microstructural Study of Load Distribution in Cartilage: A Comparison of Stress Relaxation versus Creep Loading
title_sort microstructural study of load distribution in cartilage a comparison of stress relaxation versus creep loading
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/952879
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