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Mechanical analysis of the external forces on climbing mammals

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Summary

Analysis of external forces acting on a climbing mammal under static conditions can be made with the method of free-body diagrams which requires the minimum number of measurements. The analysis must satisfy simultaneously equilibria for both linear translational and rotational effects of the external forces. Solution of the equations generated from the free-body diagram will give the vector direction and magnitude of the contact forces acting on the animal at the supports. Determination of these external forces cannot solve all aspects of climbing adaptations; it provides only the first essential step.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, 10027, New York, NY, USA

    Walter J. Bock

  2. Institut für Limnologie der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Berggasse 18/19, A-1090, Wien, Austria

    Hans Winkler

Authors
  1. Walter J. Bock
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  2. Hans Winkler
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Bock, W.J., Winkler, H. Mechanical analysis of the external forces on climbing mammals. Zoomorphologie 91, 49–61 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00994153

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00994153

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