Variation of bending capacity along the lamina length of a grass, Imperata cylindrica var. major (Gramineae)

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to investigate variation of the bending moment capacity along the lamina of a grass (Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeusch. var. major (Nees) C. E.Hubb. ex C. E. Hubb. and Vaughan). It is postulated that the bending strength of the grass section is obtained predominantly from the midrib and that the grass lamina contributes little to the overall bending behaviour. By observing transverse sections of the midrib, it can be estimated that the thickness of the outer sclerenchyma zone is approx. 10% of the midrib diameter and that the pith parenchyma makes up most of the rest of the midrib. This observation is taken to be valid for the entire length of the lamina. A simple str..