Author(s): Peggy J. Zinke
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Bending behavior; Vegetation; Floodplain species; Flexural rigidity; Field measurements
Abstract: Floodplain vegetation plays an important role for flow and sediment processes during floods. The characteristics of the flow-dependent bending behavior of riparian vegetation require knowledge of the biomechanical properties of the relevant plants and plant communities. The paper presents the results of elasticity field-measurements for selected North-European floodplain species, including horsetail, grasses, herbs and tree saplings of woody species. The field tests were performed in a non-destructive way by applying forces at defined plant heights and measuring the horizontal displacements. Flexural rigidity EI of the plants is provided as function of plant height. The measurements revealed a high variability in plant characteristics and highlighted the need for further investigations with a larger number of measurements and species.
Year: 2013