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THE UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Eric Snively A ... - Ohio University

THE UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Eric Snively A ... - Ohio University

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A FORCE INPUTS AND MATERIAL PROPERTIES<br />

f . Force and toque inputs<br />

Determination of the locomotor loading regime for the metatarsus of<br />

Gorgosaurus libratus requires estimates or rneasurements of several quantities.<br />

These variables include mass, moment arms, areas across which forces are<br />

transmitted, duty factors, acceleration, and the angle of the metatarsus relative to<br />

the substrate. The rationale and methods behind these estimates are now<br />

described.<br />

a. Mass and duty factor estimates:<br />

The mass of this G. libratus individual (TMP 94.12.602) was the constant<br />

parameter that determined instantaneous forces acting upon the metatarsus.<br />

Cross scaling revealed a mugh estirnate of the animal's mass. Femoral lengths<br />

of closely related animals are a common comparative benchmark for estimating<br />

masses (Paul 1988, 1997; HoItz 1994, Christiansen 1999). Paul (1 988)<br />

volumetrically estimated the mass G. Iibratus specimen TMP 81.1 0.1 at 2000 kg.<br />

The femur length (Il) of this specimen is 88 cm, while that of TMP 94.12.602 (Iz)<br />

is 91 cm. Mass (m) is proportional to the cube of ratios of linear sire (IdIr):<br />

(5) m;! = (12/ll)~ x ml<br />

The mass of Gorgosaunrs libratus TMP 94.12.602 is therefore estimated at<br />

221 2 kg. This estimate may be slightly low, because many of its elements appear<br />

more robust than those of TMP 81.1 0.1 (Donna Sloan, pers. cornm.1999). The<br />

femora of the two animals appear to be comparable in robustness, however, so<br />

the estimate is likely to be a reasonable starting point (Anderson et al. 1985).

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