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Microstructure-dictated resistance properties of some Indian dinosaur eggshells: finite element modeling

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 April 2016

Rahul Srivastava ,
Ashok Sahni ,
Syed A. Jafar  and
Sanjay Mishra
Rahul Srivastava
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, Nagaland University, Kohima-797002, India. E-mail: rahulsrivastava71@rediffmail.com
Ashok Sahni
Affiliation:
Centre of Advanced Studies in Geology, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160 014, India
Syed A. Jafar
Affiliation:
1-87, Dargah H. Shahwali, P.O. Golconda, Hyderabad-500 008, India
Sanjay Mishra
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Engineering and Technology, Lucknow-226021, India. E-mail: sanjay-mishra@rediffmail.com
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Abstract

Finite element modeling (FEM) has been used to evaluate microstructure-controlled stability of selected eggshells of Indian dinosaurs. Our study suggests that under static load the eggshell microstructure of Megaloolithus cylindricus displays a low magnitude of tensile stress over most of the spherolith. The magnitude of this tensile stress is lower than that displayed in M. jabalpurensis, M. baghensis, and Subtiliolithus kachchhensis. In M. cylindricus, a shell thickness matching the length of the spheroliths prevents the failure of eggshells, whereas in M. jabalpurensis and M. baghensis, which have thinner shells, the development of additional subspheroliths compensates for the relatively higher magnitude of tensile stresses. Extremely thin eggshell in S. kachchhensis shows a still higher magnitude of tensile stresses, thereby making it prone to cracking, but the propagation of cracks is apparently checked and stability reinforced by wider spacing of pore canals.

Type
Articles
Information
Paleobiology , Volume 31 , Issue 2 , Spring 2005 , pp. 315 - 323
Copyright
Copyright © The Paleontological Society 

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