The structural basis of oscillation damping in plant stems - biomechanics and biomimetics |
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Authors: | Hanns-Christof Spatzt f r Biologie Albert-Ludwigs-Universitt Freiburg Schanzlestr D - Freiburg Germany Anton Emannst f r Biologie Albert-Ludwigs-Universitt Freiburg Schanzlestr D - Freiburg Germany Olga Speckt f r Biologie Albert-Ludwigs-Universitt Freiburg Schanzlestr D - Freiburg Germany |
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Institution: | Hanns-Christof Spatz(Competence Network Biomimetics, Plant Biomechanics Group, Fakult(a)t für Biologie,Albert-Ludwigs-Universit(a)t Freiburg, Schanzlestr. 1, D -79104 Freiburg, Germany);Anton Emanns(Competence Network Biomimetics, Plant Biomechanics Group, Fakult(a)t für Biologie,Albert-Ludwigs-Universit(a)t Freiburg, Schanzlestr. 1, D -79104 Freiburg, Germany);Olga Speck(Competence Network Biomimetics, Plant Biomechanics Group, Fakult(a)t für Biologie,Albert-Ludwigs-Universit(a)t Freiburg, Schanzlestr. 1, D -79104 Freiburg, Germany); |
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Abstract: | Oscillations and their damping were investigated for plant stems of Cyperus alternifolius L., Equisetum hyemale L., Equisetum fluviatile L., Juncus effuses L., Stipa gigantea Link, and Thamnocalamus spathaceus (Franch.) Soderstr. With the exception of T. spathaceus, mechanical damping of the oscillation of individual plant stems, even without side organs, leaves or inflorescences, is quite effective. Our experiments support the hypothesis that embedding stiff sclerenchymatous elements in a more compliant parenchymatous matrix provides the structural basis for the dissipation of mechanical energy in the plant stem. As an application the naturally occurring structures were mimicked in a compound material made from hemp fabrics em- bedded in polyurethane foam, cured under pressure. Like its natural model it shows plastic deformability and viscoelastic be- haviour. In particular the material is characterized by a remarkably high shock absorption capacity even for high impact loads. |
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Keywords: | biomechanics biomimetics compound materials damped oscillations plants shock absorption viscoelasticity |
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