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Shell strength of Nautilus as a depth limiting factor

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 April 2016

W. Bruce Saunders  and
Deborah A. Wehman
W. Bruce Saunders
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, Pa. 19010
Deborah A. Wehman
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, Pa. 19010
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Abstract

Implosion of 47 epoxy-sealed shells of Nautilus pompilius indicates that very young shells (20-30 mm diameter at last septum) can withstand 136 atm pressure (= 1360 m equivalent depth), but intermediate and mature shells (30-145 mm diameter) implode at approximately 30–70 atm (= 300–700 m). Strain gages attached to the shells during implosion tests show that the flank and venter are compressed by external pressure, but the septum undergoes tension and structurally should be the most vulnerable to hydrostatic pressure. Overall shell strength is substantially less than reported values of tensile strength (approximately 364 atm) and compressive strength (approximately 1561 atm) of the constituent shell material, nacre. Shell strength as a depth limiting factor appears to be controlled by shell and septal architecture and by stress concentrators such as flaws and microstructural inhomogeneity. The wide range in implosion values and lack of strong correlation between such parameters as septal thickness and implosion pressure indicate that determination of depth ranges for fossil cephalopods may be difficult.

Type
Research Article
Information
Paleobiology , Volume 3 , Issue 1 , Winter 1977 , pp. 83 - 89
Copyright
Copyright © The Paleontological Society 

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References

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