Internal stress generation in rattan canes

Internal stress development was investigated in rattan canes (Calamus merri llii Becc.) following the procedures used in trees. Measurements showed tha t longitudinal compressive stresses existed at the periphery while longitud inal tensile stresses existed at the core. Such stresses originated from th e fibers. Fiber MFA was observed to be beyond 20 degrees and the lignin con tent was above 30%. Considering its similarities to compression wood trache ids, it was assumed that the rattan fibers generated longitudinal compressi ve 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 po ints. This is why the longitudinal compressive stress that was generated at the base was higher than at the top and high longitudinal compressive stre ss was developed at the periphery. As a response to this high peripheral st ress, longitudinal tensile stress was induced at the core.