Mechanical behaviour of plant tissues: composite materials or structures?
The mechanical characteristics of the strengthening tissue of young axes of Aristolochia macrophylla were studied in successive loading-unloading cycles in tension. Elastic, viscoelastic and plastic deformations could be distinguished. After the first cycle, the material was in a state different from its original state, to which it returned only partially and/or slowly. Internal 'microstructural' prestresses are considered as an explanation for the mechanical behaviour seen in Aristolochia macrophylla and several other plants.
Spatz
H
H
Institut für Biologie III, Universität Freiburg, Germany. spatz@uni-freiburg.de
Köhler
L
L
Niklas
K J
KJ
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004548:Elasticity; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008859:Microscopy, Polarization; D008954:Models, Biological; D013718:Tensile Strength