Fracture behavior of urinary stones under compression

The fracture behavior of two types of urinary stones, namely struvite and calcium oxalate, during compression testing was studied. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the fracture surfaces. Both types of stone showed pseudo-plastic behavior as indicated by their load-displacement curve. The onset of nonlinear behavior was found to correspond to development of microcracks in the specimens. The compressive strength was defined as the stress calculated at the maximum load. In struvite samples, the maximum load corresponded with the development of large cracks parallel to the compressive axis. For oxalate stones a separation of the outer layer (crust) from the inner layer (core) marked the point of maximum load. The compressive strength of the struvite samples was found to depend on the orientation of lamellae relative to the loading axis. Struvite stones, when loaded parallel to the lamination direction showed a higher compressive strength than oxalate stones did. The fracture behavior and compressive strength of a model material (z-brick) were also characterized and compared to those of the urinary stones.