Fracture of Stalk-like Structures

The fracture behavior of stalk plants, such as celery and rhubarb, is closely tied to the residual stresses inherent in their layered architecture. This study investigates the role of residual stresses in these biological stalks and extends this understanding to bio-inspired artificial structures. Through a combination of finite element analysis, analytical modeling, and experimental testing on engineered structures, we examine how residual stresses and other key parameters influence fracture initiation and propagation. We propose an analytical framework that models the interaction between residual stress distributions and fracture mechanics, and validate these predictions using both simulations and experiments. Our results demonstrate that residual stresses significantly impact the energy release rate and crack propagation in stalk-like structures, with implications for the design of bio-inspired materials. This research offers new insights into the mechanics of layered systems under stress, paving the way for advancements in bio-inspired material design.