Material properties assigned to FE model of the ostrich tarsometatarsus, and yield and ultimate values for comparison with FEA results.

E = Young’s modulus (stress/strain), G = shear modulus, ᴠ = Poisson’s ratio, σyield and σult = yield and ultimate stresses, εult and εult = yield and ultimate strains, εult* = strain up to which cancellous bone retains some load-carrying ability. Moduli are in GigaPascals (GPa), and σyield and σult in MegaPascals (MPa). Yield and ultimate stresses are reported along the z (long) axis because experimental test samples are typically oriented along this axis, in uniaxial tension or compression tests, and in bending tests which cause compression and tension along different sides of the long axis. The rationale behind this materials testing practice is that most in-vivo loads of limb elements are assumed to be primarily oriented longitudinally. Sources: R = Reed and Brown (2001), M = Martin et al. (1998), K = Keaveny et al. (2004), L = Linde et al. (1992).