In the course of biological evolution, plant stems have evolved mechanical properties and an internal structure that makes them resistant to various types of failure. The mechanisms involved during damage development and failure in bending are complex and incompletely understood. The work presented builds on a theoretical framework outlined by Ennos and van Casteren, who applied engineering mechanics theory to explain why different woody stems fail in different ways. Our work has extended this approach, applying it to a detailed analysis of one particular species: Fuchsia magellanica var. gracilis. When subjected to three-point bending, stems of this species exhibited one of two failure mechanisms: a plastic hinge or a greenstick fracture. We developed a predictive model using a computer simulation and a mathematical analysis using the theory of plastic bending. Required material properties were obtained from tests, the literature and imaging techniques. We found that greenstick fractures are more likely to occur in more lignified stems with a higher density. We discovered a new failure mode: an internal crack caused by tensile transverse stress. This work helps in understanding how plants have evolved their bending resistance and may assist in the creation of novel engineering structures inspired by these principles.
Keywords: bending; cracking; greenstick fracture; plant stems; plastic hinge; transverse stress.