Reinforcements in avian wing bones: Experiments, analysis, and modeling

E Novitskaya; C J Ruestes; M M Porter; V A Lubarda; M A Meyers; J McKittrick

doi:10.1016/j.jmbbm.2017.07.020

Reinforcements in avian wing bones: Experiments, analysis, and modeling

J Mech Behav Biomed Mater. 2017 Dec:76:85-96. doi: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2017.07.020. Epub 2017 Jul 14.

Authors

E Novitskaya¹, C J Ruestes², M M Porter³, V A Lubarda⁴, M A Meyers⁴, J McKittrick⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093, USA. Electronic address: eevdokim@ucsd.edu.
² Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales and CONICET, M5502JMA, Mendoza, Argentina.
³ Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA.
⁴ Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
⁵ Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.

PMID: 28734609
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2017.07.020

Abstract

Almost all species of modern birds are capable of flight; the mechanical competency of their wings and the rigidity of their skeletal system evolved to enable this outstanding feat. One of the most interesting examples of structural adaptation in birds is the internal structure of their wing bones. In flying birds, bones need to be sufficiently strong and stiff to withstand forces during takeoff, flight, and landing, with a minimum of weight. The cross-sectional morphology and presence of reinforcing structures (struts and ridges) found within bird wing bones vary from species to species, depending on how the wings are utilized. It is shown that both morphology and internal features increases the resistance to flexure and torsion with a minimum weight penalty. Prototypes of reinforcing struts fabricated by 3D printing were tested in diametral compression and torsion to validate the concept. In compression, the ovalization decreased through the insertion of struts, while they had no effect on torsional resistance. An elastic model of a circular ring reinforced by horizontal and vertical struts is developed to explain the compressive stiffening response of the ring caused by differently oriented struts.

Keywords: 3D printing; Mechanical properties; Micro-computed tomography; Strut; Vulture bone.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Animals
Biomechanical Phenomena
Birds / anatomy & histology*
Bone and Bones / anatomy & histology*
Bone and Bones / diagnostic imaging
Mechanical Phenomena*
Models, Anatomic*
Printing, Three-Dimensional
Wings, Animal / anatomy & histology*
X-Ray Microtomography