Module 5.) Tree Biology & Mechanics: Mechanics Flashcards
study of forces and their effects on bodies at rest or in motion.
Mechanics
the study of the action of forces on living trees.
Biomechanics
a general term used to indicate the magnitude of a force, bending moment, torque, or pressure applied to a substance or material.
Load
any action or influence causing an object to accelerate/decelerate. Calculated as mass multiplied by acceleration. Is a vector quantity.
Force
the force that attracts a body toward the center of the earth.
Gravity
the point toward or from which a force acts; the resultant point of aggregate forces.
Center of force
the distance between the applied force (or center of force) and the point where the object will bend or rotate.
Lever arm
wind resistance
Drag
in mechanics, the action of forces to squeeze, crush, or push together any material or substance.
Compression
the length of a straight line through the center of a circle.
Diameter
a force per unit area
Stress
the action of forces to stretch or pull apart any material or substance.
Tension
the movement or failure of materials, especially laminar material such as wood, by sliding side by side.
Shear
the action of twisting or being twisted.
Torsion
an imaginary plane where there is neither tension nor compression.
Neutral plane