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Journal ArticleDOI

Biomechanics of a branch – stem junction in softwood

TLDR
In this article, the authors measured the strain field in a mechanically loaded Norway spruce branch-stem junction by means of electronic speckle pattern analysis and compared the results with strain distribution in a polyester cast of identical shape as the branch and a simplified polyester model consisting of two halfcylinders.
Abstract
Direct measurement of strain field in a mechanically loaded Norway spruce branch–stem junction was performed by means of electronic speckle pattern analysis. Results were compared with strain distribution in a polyester cast of identical shape as the branch–stem junction, and a simplified polyester model consisting of two half-cylinders. Compared to polyester models, the branch–stem junction was characterised by a very homogeneous distribution of strain, which can be interpreted as a homogeneous distribution of stress in terms of fraction of material strength. This optimised transfer of mechanical load from the branch to the stem is achieved by a combination of naturally optimised shape with, additionally, optimised mechanical wood properties in the junction area.

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Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI

Plant Stems: Functional Design and Mechanics

TL;DR: This review highlights the advanced mechanical design of plant stems from the integral level of stem structures down to the fiber-reinforced-composite character of the cell walls to provide insight into structure-function relationships at the individual levels of hierarchy.
Journal ArticleDOI

Delignified and Densified Cellulose Bulk Materials with Excellent Tensile Properties for Sustainable Engineering

TL;DR: A novel cellulose bulk material concept based on delignification and densification of wood resulting in a high-performance material that was structurally, chemically, and mechanically characterized revealing superior tensile properties compared to native wood.
Journal ArticleDOI

Strength improvement to composite T-joints under bending through bio-inspired design

TL;DR: In this paper, a bio-inspired design methodology is used to strengthen composite T-joints under bending loading, where the wood microfibril orientation in and around the tree branch-trunk joint is tailored to the prevailing bending loading condition.
Journal ArticleDOI

Bio-inspired design of aerospace composite joints for improved damage tolerance

TL;DR: In this article, a bio-inspired design strategy based on tree branch joints was used to improve the damage tolerance of co-cured composite T-joints, where the flange plies were embedded to 25%, 50% and 75% of the depth of the skin of the composite Tjoint.
Journal ArticleDOI

Bio-inspired hierarchical design of composite T-joints with improved structural properties

TL;DR: In this paper, a bio-inspired structural modification mimics tree branch-trunk joints by embedding the stiffener flange into skin plies, which results in increased fracture toughness due to crack branching and deflection.
References
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Book

Principles of Wood Science and Technology

TL;DR: In this paper, the principles of wood science and technology have been studied and discussed in the context of wood sciences and technology, and they have been applied in a wide range of applications.
Book

Compression Wood in Gymnosperms

T. E. Timell
TL;DR: In this paper, a taxonomy, designation, general characteristics, and determination of Compression Wood is presented. But, the taxonomy is limited to a single type of compressive wood.
Book

Principles of Wood Science and Technology: I Solid Wood

TL;DR: In this paper, a comprehensive analysis of the theoretical and experimental research in wood science and technology is presented, including anatomy, biology, chemistry, physics, and mechanical technology of wood seasoning, wood preservation methods, wood machining, surfacing and gluing.
Book

Design in Nature: Learning from Trees

TL;DR: In this article, the minimum on mechanics of trees and the self-optimization of tree shape are discussed. But the authors focus on the axiom of uniform stress and tree shape, not the right load distribution.
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