Weight/Math Question

[Iguana]

OK all you engineers out there help me out with this one. I found an article that gives the tensile strength of the tunica (how much force it can stand before deforming.) I want to translate this into weight. Here is a copy of the article:

The elasticity and the tensile strength of tunica albuginea of the corpora cavernosa. - Bitsch M - J Urol - 01-MAR-1990; 143(3): 642-5 (From NIH/NLM MEDLINE)

Abstract:
The aim of this study was to determine the tensile strength and the elasticity of the tunica albuginea (TA), and describe morphological structures in the tissue before and after mechanical deformities. Twenty cadavers of men aged between 33 and 83 were examined. Cavernosometry was performed in all specimens. Afterwards in five cadavers the flow rate was increased until a herniation of the TA appeared. A strength about 1500 mm. Hg was found. Similar results were found in four who had an inflatable prosthesis (AMS 700) inserted, and the intraprosthetic pressure increased until a deformity was noted. Slices of TA (thickness 1.3 to 3.3 mm.) from 11 specimens were tested in a tensiometer. The elasticity coefficient was found to be around 10(8) N/m2, and the tensile strength to be 600 to 750 mm. Hg (10(4) to 10(5) N/m2). The difference between the tensile strength achieved in the tensiometer and during saline infusion is possibly caused by the intracavernous framework. Microscopy showed that TA is mainly composed of collagen fibres which are situated in an undulating arrangement, with a few elastic fibres arranged longitudinally which connect the undulating bundles of collagen fibres. When the tissue is overstretched, the elastic fibres are destroyed and the undulating arrangement disappears.
Citation:
The elasticity and the tensile strength of tunica albuginea of the corpora cavernosa.
Bitsch M - J Urol - 01-MAR-1990; 143(3): 642-5
From NIH/NLM MEDLINE


Notice the tissue strength is listed in mm/hg and N (newtons.) Anybody know how to convert this into pounds? I found several online conversion sites but I'm not sure I'm doing it right.
For 1500 mm/hg - I got 28.5 lbs/sq inch.
For 700 mm/hg (average of 600-700) - I got 12.35 lbs/sq inch.

Even if this is correct, what would this translate in to say hanging pounds?


Thanks for your help!


Iguana

[Ayoz]

I'm no engineer - but there are some on Yahoo Answers who can easily find the answer for you.

[remek]

Iguana: I think your math is correct. Either way, I believe the pressure reported would be way too much for a healthy penis to withstand. It would probably cause some damage.

I think I know where you're going with this, Iguana. . . The big question: Where does this leave a guy who wants to enlarge his tunica?

[Iguana]

Originally Posted by remek

Iguana: I think your math is correct. Either way, I believe the pressure reported would be way too much for a healthy penis to withstand. It would probably cause some damage.

I think I know where you're going with this, Iguana. . . The big question: Where does this leave a guy who wants to enlarge his tunica?

Yea, you're right they were exploding penises for the sake of science. I just found this information to be intriguing. If this could be successfully translated into a general guide for weights and pressures it might be useful. If nothing more, you would know what limits NOT to exceed.

[remek]

One thing I've always found intriguing about the tunica - and this is actually what lead me to searching for answers outside traditional thinking - is that all the scientific journals report that the tunica is one hell of a tissue to stretch.

The tunica is tough, strong, and takes a lot of pressure to stretch. But from what we know with ancedotal reports on forums, it doesn't always take a lot of pressure to gain inches. In fact, some men (such as Wadzilla's friend) report gaining several inches with light intensity.

Herein lies the predicament.

[Iguana]

That is so true and I have read nothing to the contrary. It's like trying to stretch a piece of gristle from a steak. Different structure, basically the same material. I have to agree with you that it is a bear to stretch and deform the tunica. That is why I whole-heartedly believe something else is responsible for the big and especially quick gains.

Originally Posted by remek

The tunica is tough, strong, and takes a lot of pressure to stretch. But from what we know with ancedotal reports on forums, it doesn't always take a lot of pressure to gain inches. In fact, some men (such as Wadzilla's friend) report gaining several inches with light intensity.

Yea, this is very perplexing. This is why I think some men have a greater elasticity potential built in. I don't think most of even the really good gainers ever get very far in actually deforming the tunica. I read somewhere that there is 3 phases to stretching tissue with an elastic component. 1. Toe 2. Creep and 3. Plastic Deformation. Toe describes the natural slack that is available from the presence of elastin fibers. Creep is the tissue stretch strain after the slack is taken out. And of course, plastic deformation is when the fibers start to break. I think most of these guys get their gains in phases 1 and 2 and the hit a brick wall in phase 3. Some will go on to gain a little, while others throw in the towel. Something for thought, even if the gains are coming from maximizing the elasticity of the tunica, something keeps it that way. Meaning the gain is "permanent." It could be there is a small amount of plastic deformation taking place or something prevents the elastin from completely retracting as before. I'm not really sure on this one. More research is needed on what actually takes place during stretch on a tissue level.

Also, if the tunica layer theory (Tunica Differences) proves to be a factor this could easily explain this.

I don't know if there is a way to test this without dissecting your tunica.

Volunteers???

[remek]

Speaking of volunteers: Is it possible that the tunica of the dead cadeavours are require more tensile strength than the tunica of live men?

I haven't found a study that tested the tensile strength of live human beings--have you? I wonder if they considered this variable when they were cutting the poor dead guys up.