ENGR2732 Biomechanics

Associate Professor John Costi

2021

4.5

1 x 1-hour lecture-2 weekly
1 x 2-hour lecture-1 weekly
1 x 2-hour tutorial weekly
6 x 1-hour tutorial-1s per semester
3 x 2-hour practicals per semester

1 1 of ENGR1732, PHYS1101, PHYS1205
2 PHYS1702 - Physics for Health Sciences
3 Admission into BMS-Bachelor of Medical Science
Must Satisfy: ((1) or (2 and 3))

ENGR8732 has been successfully completed

A basic understanding of material properties (e.g. stress/strain, modulus) such as can be obtained in ENGR1722 Engineering Physics and Materials. A basic understanding of Mechanics (e.g. application of Newton's laws of motion) such as can be obtained in SACE Stage 2 (Year 12) Physics or equivalent. A basic understanding of mathematics (e.g. trigonometry, vectors, derivatives and integrals) such as can be obtained in SACE Stage 2 (Year 12) Mathematics (or Year 11) or equivalent.

Static and dynamic analysis of muscle and joint loads; structure, composition and material properties of bone, ligament and tendon, muscle, cartilage, intervertebral disc and their common clinical problems; anatomy and function of the hip, knee and spinal joints; total joint replacement/implants; mechanisms of implant failure and implant design considerations; gait analysis and kinematics; viscoelasticity; anisotropy; mechanical vs material properties.

This topic aims to introduce students to the anatomy, structure and biomechanical function of bones, soft tissues, cartilage and joints. Students will understand the viscoelastic behaviour of biological materials as well as common problems that occur, how they are treated in terms of joint replacements/implants, why they fail and discuss design strategies for the next generation of implants. Students will also learn about the practical/experimental methods used to assess the material properties of biological tissues, as well as the limitations of these experiments and approaches to minimise them.

On completion of this topic you will be expected to be able to:

Understand and apply the general principles of joint biomechanics, and their function

Understand the concepts and theory of viscoelasticity as it applies to soft tissues, cartilage, and bone

Understand how artificial joints function and why they fail, as well as their limitations

Understand emerging new technologies in the biomechanics field and appreciate the multi-disciplinary collaborative nature of biomechanics research

Key dates and timetable

Timetable details for 2021 are no longer published.

This information is from current details held on the Student Information System. Please report any errors or omissions to the relevant College Office.