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Fracture mechanics and its relevance to botanical structures
Author(s) -
Farquhar Tony,
Zhao Yong
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.3732/ajb.93.10.1449
Subject(s) - context (archaeology) , relevance (law) , fracture mechanics , variety (cybernetics) , field (mathematics) , biology , biochemical engineering , computer science , engineering , mathematics , structural engineering , artificial intelligence , paleontology , political science , pure mathematics , law
In the field of fracture mechanics, an analytical framework has been established for understanding the mechanical failure of any structure made of inherently flawed materials. In the context of botany, this includes an extraordinarily wide variety of turgid and/or woody structures made of cellulose‐based tissues, the diverse soils penetrated by their roots, and a multitude of plant‐based commodities and foodstuffs. The goal of this article is to provide an overview of the theory of engineering fracture mechanics and to identify some special characteristics of wood and other plant‐based materials that require further development in this area.