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Plant mechanical interactions with air and water
Mathematical Biology| Speaker: | Emmanuel de Langre, Department of Mechanics, Ecole Polytechnique |
| Location: | 2112 MSB |
| Start time: | Fri, Feb 26 2010, 2:10PM |
Description
External flow, air or water, is a major abiotic stress on plants. It
causes strong loads with complex static and dynamic component. A huge
variety of configuration exists, depending on the plant geometry and the
flow characteristics. In this seminar I will address three points (a) the
difference between air and water loading, (b) the difference between static
and dynamic interactions, (c) the coupling with growth. This will be
illustrated by recent experimental and theoretical work on crop canopies
(alfalfa and wheat), isolated trees (walnut and pine) and artificial plant
systems.
[1] E. de Langre. Effects of wind on plants. Annual Review of Fluid
Mechanics, 40:141-168. (2008).
[2] M. Rodriguez, E. de Langre and B. Moulia. A scaling law for the effects
of architecture and allometry on tree vibration modes suggests a biological
tuning to modal compartmentalization. American Journal of Botany,
95:1523-1557.(2008).
[3] F. Gosselin and E. de Langre. Destabilising Effects of Plant
Flexibility in Air and Aquatic Vegetation Canopy Flows. European Journal of
Mechanics B/Fluids, 28:271-282. (2009).