Measurement of the shear and tensile fracture properties of leaves of pasture grasses

DA Henry, RH Macmillan and RJ Simpson

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 47(4) 587 - 603
Published: 1996

Abstract

The shear fracture properties of leaves of pasture grasses were measured using a shearing device consisting of 2 blades at fixed angles. The mechanics of the shearing process were examined with both paper and leaves of Festuca arundinacea. The investigations indicated that the intrinsic strength of the material being cut is best represented as force exerted during the cut divided by the length of the cutting blade in contact with the material. Tensile fracture properties of leaves of 5 pasture grasses were also measured, and the relationship between tensile and shear properties was examined. Intrinsic shear strength was weakly negatively correlated with tensile strength. Keywords: tension; intrinsic shear strength; Festuca arundinacea; Phalaris aquatica; Lolium perenne; Dactylis glomerata; Thinopyrum ponticum; paper; strength

Full text doi:10.1071/AR9960587

© CSIRO 1996