Chosen Mechanical Properties of Electric Tape Fences

This research is focused on electric tape fencing, particularly of fast-moving animals, especially horses. The mechanical behavior of electric fences is of great importance. On the one hand, the fence should be durable enough, but, on the other hand, it should break if a livestock gets spooked and decides to run through to not cause harm to the animal. Main goal of this study is, therefore, to analyze mechanical properties of different electric tape fences during tensile stress and to propose suitable rheological model useful both for describing mechanical behavior and for predicting properties of electric tape fences. The mechanical behavior of electric fences was examined through two main experimental tests: (a) quasi-static tests to gain the full stress/strain responses of the electric tape in tension and (b) dynamic and stress–relaxation tests to characterize the electric tape fence viscoelasticity. It was found out that strength of electric tape fences is directly dependent on total cross-section area of monofilaments, whereas stiffness coefficients and plasticity limits were also studied. Based on the detailed findings from both types of tension tests, a rheological model of the electric fence was proposed. The results show that the model appropriately describes the experimentally obtained data.