Deformation and Vibration of a Platanus Acerifolia Tree Leaf in Wind

摘要

The behavior of a twig-connected leaf in wind was investigated. With the variation of wind speed in the range of 0.7-11.5 m/s, the leaf experienced different patterns of deformation or vibration, and abrupt changes from one pattern to another occurred at critical wind speeds. For the case of the back side facing high speed wind stream, the leaf rolled up into conical shapes to reduce resistance and vibration. When the front side facing high wind, however, the leaf vibrated fiercely and no "reconfiguration" phenomenon observed.