Mechanical resistance of coppice stems derived from full-scale impact tests

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)



Description :
The aim is to supply data for more reliable assessments of the rockfall protective function of coppice forests with rockfall simulation models and to provide a basis for better estimating the rockfall protective effect of coppice clumps. The AA. assessed the mechanical resistance of 73 beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) coppice stems using an impact pendulum device. They found an exponential relationship between the stem diameter at breast height (DBH) and mechanical resistance (loss of momentum or kinetic energy of the impactor during impact). Moreover, the results show that the high flexibility of the stems leads to relatively long lasting impacts and only negligible damage at the point of impact on the stem. As a result, the mechanical resistance of the stems is partly determined by impactor velocity and mass. These findings question the practicality of defining mechanical resistance by means of the change of momentum or energy of the impactor.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Earth surface processes and landforms, issn : 0197-9337, 2013, vol. 38, n°. 9, p. 994-1003, nombre de pages : 10, Références bibliographiques : 1 p.

Date :
2013

Editeur :
Pays édition : Royaume-Uni, Chichester, Wiley