Different failure modes observed in specimens tested by treatment group, reported by count (N) and percentage of specimens in each group that failed in that mode.
| Specimen type | Type 1 failure (initial compression failure in outer edge of smaller-diameter branch before failure at the branch junction) | Type 2 failure (initial tension failure at the branch junction) | Type 3 failure (initial compression failure in outer-edge of smaller-diameter branch before failure in tension of that branch) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Control | N = 9; 24% | N = 21; 57% | N = 7; 19% |
| Natural brace removed | N = 7; 35% | N = 13; 65% | N = 0; 0% |
| Natural brace retained | N = 2; 13% | N = 9; 56% | N = 5; 31% |