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Computerized image analysis was used for characterizing the irregular boundaries of calcium oxalate stone fragments resulting from shock wave and ultrasound disintegration. The complexity of the contour of the fragments was determined to evaluate the surface roughness of the rugged profile of the samples. Crack propagation on the crystal surface of the mineral phase was studied using fractal geometry. A significant difference was observed in the boundary variation of the calcium oxalate stone fragments treated by shock wave and ultrasound. Crack propagation in the mineral phase crystal was found to depend on the method of fragmentation used. There is also an experimental evidence that the surface topography of the stone fragments produced by shock wave depends on the microhardness of the stone material.

Thèse numérisée par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.