Mechanical Properties and Optimization Strategies of Tree Fork Structures
Trees are complex and dynamic living structures, where structural stability is essential for survival and for public safety in urban environments. Tree forks, as structural junctions, are key to tree integrity but are prone to failure under stress. The specific mechanical contributions of their inte...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Plants |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/2/167 |
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| author | Yi-Sen Peng Bai-You Cheng Tung-Chi Liu |
| author_facet | Yi-Sen Peng Bai-You Cheng Tung-Chi Liu |
| author_sort | Yi-Sen Peng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Trees are complex and dynamic living structures, where structural stability is essential for survival and for public safety in urban environments. Tree forks, as structural junctions, are key to tree integrity but are prone to failure under stress. The specific mechanical contributions of their internal conical structures remain largely unexplored. This study explores how conical structures optimize stress distribution, filling key gaps in the understanding of tree fork mechanics and supporting safety assessments. This study focused on the following factors: (1) external shape, (2) internal conical reinforcement, (3) interface of the conical connection, and (4) material changes within the conical structure. By analyzing physical samples to extract structural and morphological features, simulating these features in controlled variable models, and performing finite element analysis, we explored mechanical behavior, stress distribution, and performance characteristics, revealing the factors and mechanisms that strengthen tree forks. Insights from this study may facilitate safety assessments and inform pruning strategies for urban tree management. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-36e8a5e7fa3a44c39601fa741fa89584 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj-art-36e8a5e7fa3a44c39601fa741fa895842025-01-24T13:46:35ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-01-0114216710.3390/plants14020167Mechanical Properties and Optimization Strategies of Tree Fork StructuresYi-Sen Peng0Bai-You Cheng1Tung-Chi Liu2Department of Horticulture, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung City 40227, TaiwanTaiwan Wetland Society, Hsinchu County 30244, TaiwanDepartment of Horticulture, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung City 40227, TaiwanTrees are complex and dynamic living structures, where structural stability is essential for survival and for public safety in urban environments. Tree forks, as structural junctions, are key to tree integrity but are prone to failure under stress. The specific mechanical contributions of their internal conical structures remain largely unexplored. This study explores how conical structures optimize stress distribution, filling key gaps in the understanding of tree fork mechanics and supporting safety assessments. This study focused on the following factors: (1) external shape, (2) internal conical reinforcement, (3) interface of the conical connection, and (4) material changes within the conical structure. By analyzing physical samples to extract structural and morphological features, simulating these features in controlled variable models, and performing finite element analysis, we explored mechanical behavior, stress distribution, and performance characteristics, revealing the factors and mechanisms that strengthen tree forks. Insights from this study may facilitate safety assessments and inform pruning strategies for urban tree management.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/2/167tree forkinternal conical structurebranch–stem junctionsstress distributionfinite element analysismechanical properties |
| spellingShingle | Yi-Sen Peng Bai-You Cheng Tung-Chi Liu Mechanical Properties and Optimization Strategies of Tree Fork Structures Plants tree fork internal conical structure branch–stem junctions stress distribution finite element analysis mechanical properties |
| title | Mechanical Properties and Optimization Strategies of Tree Fork Structures |
| title_full | Mechanical Properties and Optimization Strategies of Tree Fork Structures |
| title_fullStr | Mechanical Properties and Optimization Strategies of Tree Fork Structures |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mechanical Properties and Optimization Strategies of Tree Fork Structures |
| title_short | Mechanical Properties and Optimization Strategies of Tree Fork Structures |
| title_sort | mechanical properties and optimization strategies of tree fork structures |
| topic | tree fork internal conical structure branch–stem junctions stress distribution finite element analysis mechanical properties |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/2/167 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT yisenpeng mechanicalpropertiesandoptimizationstrategiesoftreeforkstructures AT baiyoucheng mechanicalpropertiesandoptimizationstrategiesoftreeforkstructures AT tungchiliu mechanicalpropertiesandoptimizationstrategiesoftreeforkstructures |