MEASUREMENT OF THE SHEAR AND TENSILE FRACTURE PROPERTIES OF LEAVES OFPASTURE GRASSES

The shear fracture properties of leaves of pasture grasses were measur ed using a shearing device consisting of 2 blades at fixed angles. The mechanics of the shearing process were examined with both paper and l eaves of Festuca arundinacea. The investigations indicated that the in trinsic strength of the material being cut is best represented as forc e 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 measured, and the relationship between tensile a nd shear properties was examined. Intrinsic shear strength was weakly negatively correlated with tensile strength.