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Biomechanics of a branch – stem junction in softwood

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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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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Competence Centre for Wood Composites and Wood Chemistry, St.-Peter-Strasse 25, 4021, Linz, Austria

    Ulrich Müller

  2. Department of Material Sciences and Process Engineering, Institute of Wood Science and Technology, BOKU—University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Peter Jordan Strasse 82, 1190, Vienna, Austria

    Wolfgang Gindl

  3. Centre for Biomimetics, Engineering Building, The University of Reading, Whiteknights, RG6 2AY, Reading, UK

    George Jeronimidis

Authors
  1. Ulrich Müller
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  2. Wolfgang Gindl
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  3. George Jeronimidis
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Correspondence to Ulrich Müller.

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Communicated by T. Speck

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Müller, U., Gindl, W. & Jeronimidis, G. Biomechanics of a branch – stem junction in softwood. Trees 20, 643–648 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-006-0079-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-006-0079-x

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