1. Analysis of the structural efficiency of trees.
- Author
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Burgess, S. C. and Pasini, D.
- Subjects
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TREES , *ENGINEERING design , *INDUSTRIAL efficiency , *INDUSTRIAL design , *STRAINS & stresses (Mechanics) , *STRUCTURAL engineering , *ENGINEERING - Abstract
This paper presents an analysis of the structural features of trees in order to understand how high levels of mass-efficiency are achieved and to identify lessons for engineering designers. Structural features are identified from a literature survey and also by observations and measurements of mature trees in the UK. The functions of the structural features are identified using a function-means tree. The mass-efficiency of the structural features is modelled and assessed using first-order stress analysis. A comparison is made between the structural features found in trees and those used in engineering. There are many similarities between the structural features in trees and engineering. However, there are a few aspects that are mostly unique to trees such as the existence of important non-structural functions in structural members and the presence of adaptive growth. These features may indicate how future engineering structures will be designed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2004
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