International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 13 Issue: 08 | Aug 2026
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
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Non-Destructive Evaluation and Failure Prediction of Tree Branches: An Integrated Review Vinay V. Kuppast1, V. P. Girisagar2, Aishwarya S. Nayak3, Akash Girennavar4, Salma H. Shahapur5,Tanuja Y. Papanal6 1Professor, 2Associate Professor, 3,4,5,6Final Year BE Students
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Basaveshwar Engineering College (Affln.: Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belagavi), Bagalkote, Karnataka, India ---------------------------------------------------------------------***---------------------------------------------------------------------
Abstract - Urban and roadside trees are biological
effective structural capacity. Engineering-based tree statics therefore considers the load, the load-bearing surface and the material properties together rather than interpreting residual wall thickness in isolation [1,12]. Finite-element modelling of root anchorage under wind loading has further shown that progressive root breakage can govern uprooting resistance and can be incorporated into failure simulations [19]. Pulling experiments on mature Acer trees showed that codominant-stem failures can occur at substantially lower stress than stem failures [11], while later static-pulling work on silver birch demonstrated the usefulness of loading-resistance measurements for comparing tree stability in urban and peri-urban settings [23].
structures that simultaneously provide ecological services and present mechanical hazards when stems, branches, or root plates fail. Internal decay, cavities, cracks, weak branch unions and changes in wood properties may remain hidden during routine visual inspection. This review synthesizes the uploaded literature on non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of standing trees and links diagnostic measurements to engineering-based failure prediction. Visual assessment and three-dimensional surveys are effective first-line screening tools, while stress-wave/ultrasonic methods provide information on stiffness-related changes and internal discontinuities. Acoustic tomography can map crosssectional anomalies, electrical resistance tomography can be particularly informative in early decay, and resistance microdrilling can localize and differentiate defects when tomographic shadows are ambiguous. Infrared thermography offers rapid non-contact screening of thermal anomalies, whereas ground-penetrating radar provides electromagnetic sensing but has shown species- and geometry-dependent limitations. Recent stand-off radar combined with deep learning demonstrates a pathway toward rapid, contactless population-scale screening. Mechanical pulling tests and tree statics complement NDE by translating defect information into load–capacity considerations. The evidence supports a staged, multimodal workflow in which rapid screening is followed by targeted internal characterization and, where required, mechanical validation. The principal research need is an uncertaintyaware fusion of sensor data, tree geometry, material properties and environmental loading into a defensible probability-of-failure framework.
The central challenge is that a visually acceptable tree may contain hidden defects. Conventional boring or coring provides only local information and can create wounds through which decay organisms may spread [10,12]. Consequently, a broad family of NDE techniques has been developed, including visual assessment, stress-wave timing, acoustic/ultrasonic tomography, resistance drilling, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), electrical resistance tomography (ERT), infrared thermography (IRT), remote sensing and mechanical pull testing [1]. These methods do not measure the same physical quantity; rather, they sense density, elastic response, electrical properties, temperature, geometry or structural response. Their outputs must therefore be interpreted according to the defect type, species, moisture condition, geometry and inspection objective [8].
2. TREE FAILURE MECHANISMS AND DIAGNOSTIC REQUIREMENTS
Key Words: Tree failure; Non-destructive evaluation; Acoustic tomography; Stress wave; Resistograph; Ground-penetrating radar; Infrared thermography; Tree statics; Deep learning.
Three broad failure modes are relevant to stems and branches: bending or shear failure of the stem, failure of branch or codominant unions, and root-plate overturning. Internal decay reduces wood density and stiffness and may also alter the effective section geometry. Cracks can be especially problematic because they interrupt wave paths and may create tomographic shadows larger than the physical crack [3,4]. Branch-attachment morphology also has a direct mechanical role: experimental testing found that branch-to-trunk diameter ratio was a strong predictor
1. INTRODUCTION Tree failure is governed by an interaction between applied loads, tree geometry, material properties and the condition of the load-bearing structure. Wind, snow, ice and self-weight generate bending and overturning demands, while decay, cavities and cracks reduce the
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