Re: Biomechanics

["James R. Cunningham" <jrccea@bellsouth.net>]

John Clavin wrote:

> I don't know psi - but the standard scuba divers tables put the pressure at
> 6 meters as 1.6 bar (1.6 x average pressure at the surface).

1.6*14.7 psi -14.7 psi = 8.82 psi overpressure, approximately the 8.67 psi
overpressure I calculated based on the density of fresh water.  Bear in mind
that an increase in density of the atmosphere during the Jurassic (or whenever)
would have increased the overpressure proportionately.

> If it tripped up and simply fell on the ground, all that force would be used
> up in skidding to a halt on it's chest or side. Lots of scrapes, but I can't
> see it being fatal.

Some years ago, a motorcycle, a curve, and a large rock all combined to give me
an opportunity to implement this experiment at about 30 mph. I'm still here, and
all but one of the scars eventually went away.  The impact was inconsequential,
but you never forget the slide (everytime I completed a spin, I'd see the
motorcycle nearby doing the same thing).  Though it makes for vivid memories, I
can't see this as being terribly dangerous to the rex.

Jim