10.4. Applications in Biomechanics of Deformable Bodies
The biomechanics of deformable bodies deals with the forces that cause a change in the dimensions of a body structure (e.g., bone, tendons, ligaments, or muscles). These forces can be tensile, compressive, shear, bend, or torsion, and deformations are classified as elastic, if reversible, or plastic, when irreversible. Biomechanical materials testing makes it possible to assess the mechanical properties (e.g., Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio) of simple or complex body structures and/or of the objects with which they interact (e.g., prostheses or implants), under either normal or pathological conditions. Naturally, test results depend on many factors, such as the geometric properties of the ...