Dear Dr Goodman,

As regards to the method and specific details of the measurement of strain
energy storage on biological materials you could have a look at the
following papers:

Spatz, H.-CH., Emanns, A. and T. Speck (1997): Elastic, Viscoelastic and
Plastic Properties of Equisetum hyemale. In: Plant Biomechanics 1997
Conference Proceedings I (eds.: G.J. Jeronimidis and J.F.V. Vincent), Centre
of Biomimetics, The University of Reading, 17-22

Spatz, H.-CH., Köhler, L. and K. Niklas (1999): Mechanical behaviour of
plant tissues: Composite materials or structures ? J. of Exp. Biol. 202,
3269-3272

Köhler, L., Speck, Th. and H.-CH. Spatz (2000): Micromechanics and
anatomical changes during early ontogeny of two lianescent Aristolochia
species. Planta 210, 691-700

The question whether to use a set extension or extending to the elastic
limit depends on the context of the investigation. Looking from an
eco-biological point of view it might be appropriate to use a set extension
the plant is typically exposed to in its natural habitat, whereas from the
point of view of materials sciences one could be more interested in
extending the maximal amount possible.

If you have any further questions or have difficulties getting the cited
papers, please feel free to contact us.

With kind regards, Lothar Köhler

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----------
>From: Adrian M Goodman <[log in to unmask]>
>To: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: resilience of roots
>Date: Don, 3. Aug 2000 11:26 Uhr
>

> Dear All
> Apologies to anyone who has received this message twice.  I would be very
> grateful for any advice on suitable methods for calculating the resilience
> of biological materials.  More specifically I am interested in carrying out
> some load relaxation tests on the roots of Galium aparine (cleavers).  A few
> preliminary results suggests that the lateral roots can undergo strains of
> between 20-30% before failure.  I want to investigate this further by
> carrying out some more tests to measure the resilience (strain energy
> storage?).  My dilemma is that I am unsure of when to start unloading the
> specimen.  Any suggestions on whether it would be best to use a set
> extension or perhaps unload once the material has reached its elastic limit
> would be most welcome.
>
> Many thanks
> from
> Adrian
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> ------------
> Dr Adrian Goodman
> De Montfort University Lincoln
> School of Agriculture
> Riseholme
> Lincoln LN2 2LG
> UK
> Tel: 01522 895370
> Fax: 01522 545436


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