Plant cell walls, like a multitude of other biological materials, are natural fiber-reinforced composite materials. Their mechanical properties are highly dependent on the interplay of the stiff fibrous phase and the soft matrix phase and on the matrix deformation itself. Using specific Arabidopsis thaliana mutants, we studied the mechanical role of the matrix assembly in primary cell walls of hypocotyls with altered xyloglucan and pectin composition. Standard microtensile tests and cyclic loading protocols were performed on mur1 hypocotyls with affected RGII borate diester cross-links and a hindered xyloglucan fucosylation as well as qua2 exhibiting 50% less homogalacturonan in comparison to wild-type. As a control, wild-type plants (Col-0) and mur2 exhibiting a specific xyloglucan fucosylation and no differences in the pectin network were utilized. In the standard tensile tests, the ultimate stress levels (approximately tensile strength) of the hypocotyls of the mutants with pectin alterations (mur1, qua2) were rather unaffected, whereas their tensile stiffness was noticeably reduced in comparison to Col-0. The cyclic loading tests indicated a stiffening of all hypocotyls after the first cycle and a plastic deformation during the first straining, the degree of which, however, was much higher for mur1 and qua2 hypocotyls. Based on the mechanical data and current cell wall models, it is assumed that folded xyloglucan chains between cellulose fibrils may tend to unfold during straining of the hypocotyls. This response is probably hindered by geometrical constraints due to pectin rigidity.

In this study, a basic model is introduced to describe the biomechanical properties of the wood from the viewpoint of the composite structure of its cell wall. First, the mechanical interaction between the cellulose microfibril (CMF) as a bundle framework and the lignin-hemicellulose as a matrix (MT) skeleton in the secondary wall is formulated based on "the two phase approximation." Thereafter, the origins of (1) tree growth stress, (2) shrinkage or swelling anisotropy of the wood, and (3) moisture dependency of the Young's modulus of wood along the grain were simulated using the newly introduced model. Through the model formulation; (1) the behavior of the cellulose microfibril (CMF) and the matrix substance (MT) during cell wall maturation was estimated; (2) the moisture reactivity of each cell wall constituent was investigated; and (3) a realistic model of the fine composite structure of the matured cell wall was proposed. Thus, it is expected that the fine structure and internal property of each cell wall constituent can be estimated through the analyses of the macroscopic behaviors of wood based on the two phase approximation.

Release strain measurements were conducted on the aerial roots of Ficus elastica Roxb. to understand stress generation in roots. Regardless of whether the roots are small roots that are directly attached to the ground (Type I), small roots that have merged with other roots without reaching the ground (Type II), or large roots that are directly attached to the ground (Type III), all gave negative strain values indicating that they were under tensile stress prior to measurements. Such strains were inversely affected by the strain gauge distance from the root attachment (either to the ground or to other roots) and by the root diameter. Tensile stresses emanated from the gelatinous fibers found near the pith of the roots.

Internal stress development was investigated in rattan canes (Calamus merrillii Becc.) following the procedures used in trees. Measurements showed that longitudinal compressive stresses existed at the periphery while longitudinal tensile stresses existed at the core. Such stresses originated from the fibers. Fiber MFA was observed to be beyond 20" and the lignin content was above 30%. Considering its similarities to compression wood tracheids, it was assumed that the rattan fibers generated longitudinal compressive stress. The amount of stress varied from base to top and from periphery to core because of the variation in the proportion of fibers along these points. This is why the longitudinal compressive stress that was generated at the base was higher than at the top and high longitudinal compressive stress was developed at the periphery. As a response to this high peripheral stress, longitudinal tensile stress was induced at the core.