Nonlinear hysteretic behavior and anchorage performance of Betula platyphylla roots under cyclic loading.

Abstract

Introduction Cyclic loads caused by natural factors such as strong winds are common in plant growth environments. Prolonged exposure to such loads can compromise the anchorage performance of plants. This study examines how cyclic loading influences the root anchorage of Betula platyphylla, a prominent tree species in northern China. Methods A series of pull-out tests were performed on soil-embedded roots, including monotonic pull-out tests and 100 cycles of loading and unloading. Results The research results show that under different cyclic load amplitudes, the peak bearing capacity is negatively correlated with the load amplitude. Energy dissipation in the root system increases with higher load amplitudes but decreases as the number of cycles increases. From the initial cycle to the 25th cycle, energy dissipation decreased substantially, with no further significant reduction observed between the 25th and 100th cycles. To more effectively capture the nonlinear hysteretic behavior of roots, an enhanced Bouc-Wen model was developed and successfully fitted to the force-displacement curves. The model accurately replicated the hysteresis loops and characterized the damage progression in root anchorage under cyclic loading. Discussion These findings offer valuable insights into the mechanical stability of plant roots under repeated environmental stresses and provide a robust framework for modeling root anchorage performance in natural settings.

Plant phenotyping relevance

根系引抜試験によるアンカレッジ性能の測定と、力–変位曲線を用いた拡張Bouc-Wenモデルの開発・検証が研究の中心であり、植物の機械的形質を抽出・モデル化している。

Code and data availability

The supplied blocks describe laboratory pull-out and cyclic loading tests on Betula platyphylla roots and Matlab-based Bouc-Wen parameter identification, but contain no data availability statement, no public dataset deposit, and no author code repository or URL. The only URL present is the article's own DOI, which is a

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