Modeling of the Non-Auditory Response to Blast Overpressure. Rupture Strength of the Rabbit Large Intestine

In support of the study of blast overpressure related G.I. injury, an extensive set of in vivo tests was carried out to determine the rupture strength of the large intestine for the New Zealand White rabbit. In all, 21 rabbits with various weights for both sexes were tested. Results of the tests indicate that physical dimensions and rupture strengths are not dependent on sex or weight of adult rabbits but instead correlate with position along the G.I. tract. The ascending colon has the highest rupture pressure followed by caecum, transverse colon, and descending colon. The rupture strength in terms of unit thickness, however, decreases systematically along the G.I. tract from caecum to descending colon. The results agree with the set of data given by Yamada and obtained from pre-processed, in vivo test samples.