Critical Force for Buckling Tree Stems
University Outreach Publication
Tree strength and stiffness can resist significant forces and not fail. A large proportion of this strength lies with the thickness (diameter) of the stem. Stem buckling occurs when an exerted force begins and continues to bend the stem beyond recovery. Prime among the calculable forces in stem resistance to failure is the relative critical force needed to sustain Euler bucking (as opposed to thin walled buckling which is not treated here). Euler buckling occurs at a critical force which is proportional to the geometric placement and material strength of woody tissues, and inversely proportional to the square of stem height.
The amount of load which can be applied to cause failure by buckling is dependent upon many complex factors and attributes of tree, soil, and environment. This publication will isolate one simple component of stem strength to help tree specialists appreciate tree biomechanics. This publication does not attempt to provide actual tree stem responses to loads and forces under the dynamic conditions in nature.
Tree Biomechanics Series
(FOR00-026) September 2000
K.D. Coder
September 2000
Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia
Athens, GA (US)
5
Click to open, view, print, and/or save this publication as a PDF file
FOR00-026
Biology (tree), Disaster, Evaluation/Assessment, Mechanics (tree), Plant Health Care, Risk Assessment and Hazard, Safety Issues, Storms, Structure (tree)
National, Southeast, International
Mechanics, Leaf characteristics, Biomechanics, Statics, Risk assessment
