Tree Biology & Mechanics. Pt.3: Mechanics

Front 1

bending moment

Back 1

a turning, bending or twisting force exerted by a lever, defined as the force (acting perpendicular to the lever) multiplied by the length (see moment)

Front 2

biomechanics

Back 2

(tree biomechanics) the study of the action of forces on living trees

Front 3

center of force

Back 3

the point toward or from which a force acts; the resultant point of aggregate force

Front 4

compression

Back 4

in mechanics, the action of forces to squeeze, crush, or push together any material or substance (contrast with tension)

Front 5

diameter

Back 5

the length of a straight line through the center of a circle

Front 6

drag

Back 6

wind resistance

Front 7

dynamic

Back 7

study of how objects move under the action of forces

Front 8

force

Back 8

any action or influence causing an object to accelerate/decelerate. Calculated as mass multiplied by acceleration. Is a vector quantity.

Front 9

gravity

Back 9

the force that attracts a body toward the center of the earth

Front 10

lever arm

Back 10

the distance between the applied force (or center of force) and the point where the object will bend or rotate

Front 11

load

Back 11

1) a general term used to indicate the magnitude of a force, bending moment, torque, pressure, or such, applied to a substance or material

2) cargo; weight to be borne or conveyed

Front 12

mass dumping

Back 12

a process by which the amplitude of oscillations is reduced; In trees, motion created by the forces of wind or rigging operations may be reduced through branch movement

Front 13

mechanics

Back 13

study of forces and their effects on bodies at rest or in motion

Front 14

moment

Back 14

a turning, bending, or twisting force exerted by a lever, defined as the force (acting perpendicular to the lever ) multiplied by the length of the lever

Front 15

neutral plane

Back 15

an imaginary plane where there is neither tension nor compression

Front 16

radius

Back 16

distance from the center to the perimeter of a circle. One half of diameter.

Front 17

shear

Back 17

1)(n.) in mechanics, the movement or failure of materials, especially laminar material such as wood, by sliding side by side.

2)(n.) a tool used to cut small-diameter plant material, including secateurs and snips, as well as long-bladed hand tools and power tools used to cut hedges.

3)(v.) to cut; often used to describe cutting foilage or stems to a single plane, as in a hedge.

Front 18

shell wall

Back 18

the remaining solid wood around a cavity or internal wood decay

Front 19

stress

Back 19

1) in Plant Health Care, a factor that negatively affects the health of a plant; a factor that stimulates a response.

2) in mechanics, a force per unit area

Front 20

tension

Back 20

in mechanics, the action of forces to stretch or pull apart any matetial or substance (contrast with compression)

Front 21

torsion

Back 21

the action of twisting or being twisted