Numerical Simulations of the Mechanical Behavior of Plant Tissues as an Inspiration for Carbon Reinforced Concrete Structures

Plant leaves are exposed to a variety of stresses and must resist these stresses without being damaged. The mechanical properties of leaves are defined by the internal composition and organization of different tissues. Fibers, as tissues stronger in tension, are combined with tissues stronger in compression. Thus, plant leaves can be described as fiber-reinforced structures. Not many research efforts have been devoted to investigate biomechanical properties of the peltate leaf shape, which is characterized by the attachment of the leaf stalk to the underside of the leaf blade. In other words, a peltate leaf can be defined as a beam supporting a flying roof. The organization and arrangement of the fibers stabilizing the structure as a whole and the connection between beam and roof can serve as an inspiration for novel carbon reinforced concrete structures. Due to the complex morphology and anatomy of leaves, not all information about the mechanical behavior can be obtained from experiments. Therefore, in this contribution, we investigate the mechanical behavior of a peltate-leaved species by means of the numerical simulation. For the finite element simulations a continuum mechanical transversely isotropic viscoelastic material model is used. First, the numerical results are compared with the results obtained in the real experiments to show the validity of the model. Then, the model is used to simulate the behavior of the leaf elements under various loading conditions. Furthermore, based on the numerical results and CT-data of leaf elements some possible carbon reinforced concrete structures are proposed.