Penetration of the Stiffener Web to Deck Plate Weld in Orthotropic Plated Bridge Decks

This paper reports the results of experimental research the longitudinal stiffeners in an orthotropic plated bridge deck on concerning the connection between the deck plate and the web of a microscopic scale. An important number of test specimens of a weld are studied with the help of a video microscope, to detect the efficiency of the root of the weld. The second part of the paper is concerned with parametric analysis of the lack of weld penetration by using accurate finite element modelling. The results demonstrate that the weld quality often required can not always be assured, which surely has important consequence on the stresses in the weld and the fatigue resistance.

Bridge plating in the setting of radiocarpal instability:Does distal fixation to the second or third metacarpal matter?A cadaveric study

BACKGROUND Radiocarpal dislocations are rare but potentially devastating injuries.Poorer outcomes are associated with inadequate or lost reduction,such as ulnar translocation,but no consensus exists on the ideal fixation technique.Dorsal bridge plate fixation has been described for various settings in the treatment of complex distal radius fractures and can be fixed distally to the second or third metacarpal,but its application for radiocarpal dislocations has not been established.AIM To determine whether distal fixation to the second or third metacarpal matters.METHODS Using a cadaveric radiocarpal dislocation model,the effect of distal fixation was studied in two stages:(1)A pilot study that investigated the effect of distal fixation alone;and(2)a more refined study that investigated the effect of described techniques for distal and proximal fixation.Radiographs were measured in various parameters to determine the quality of the reduction achieved.RESULTS The pilot study found that focusing on distal fixation alone without changing proximal fixation results in ulnar translocation and volar subluxation when fixing distally to the second metacarpal compared with the third.The second iteration demonstrated that anatomic alignment in coronal and sagittal planes could be achieved with each technique.CONCLUSION In a cadaveric radiocarpal dislocation model,anatomic alignment can be maintained with bridge plate fixation to the second metacarpal or the third metacarpal if the described technique is followed.When considering dorsal bridge plate fixation for radiocarpal dislocations,the surgeon is encouraged to understand the nuances of different fixation techniques and how implant design features may influence proximal placement.