Fractals in Nature and their

applications
Lecture 3
Key concepts to be addressed today
•Patterns in Nature : complex and irregular
•Introduction to Fractals
•Properties of Fractal structures
•Applications of Fractal Geometry in Engineering
1. Some patterns in nature

Neurons from the cortex Branching pattern in lungs

With more recent estimates of 21–26 billion
neurons in the cerebral cortex (Pelvig et al.,
2008) and 101 billion neurons in the
cerebellum (Andersen et al., 1992),
however, the total number of neurons in the
human brain would increase to over 120
billion neurons
A bronchial tree (or respiratory tree) is the collective term
used for these multiple-branched bronchi. The main
function of the bronchi, like other conducting zone
structures, is to provide a passageway for air to move
into and out of each lung. In addition, the mucous
membrane traps debris and pathogens.
Branching pattern in trees Spirals in Agave cactus
 Broccoli and cauliflower Fern

https://thewest.com.au/lifestyle/kids/what-are-fractals https://fractalfoundation.org/OFC/OFC-1-1.html
-ng-b88838072z
Patterns in the natural world

Clouds and Mountains

River Network
Discussion Point:

Why do we use the word “pattern” in describing all these features ?

 The real world is anything but Euclidean !

http://lsnbsquare-motherindia.blogspot.com/2014/02/fractals-in-nature-n-more.html
So what is common to these pictures wrt their forms
?

• They lack well defined geometry

• They are are irregular and rough and

appear very complex for analysis
https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/pyramids-of-giza-eg
y-giza-giza.htm

• Mathematicians’ nightmare

• Apparently do not conform to

Euclidean Geometry (regular
geometry)
These defied explanation, until

“a rough or fragmented geometric shape that can be split into parts,

each of which is (at least approximately) a reduced-size copy of the
whole” – from there you can build an any form you want
A broccoli when divided into parts, each part would be a smaller replica of the whole shape.

https://cargocollective.com/annabelking/Fractal-1
A fern can be divided into parts, in which each part would be a smaller
replica of the whole shape.

https://fractalwork.com/julian-wilson-explains-the-nature-of-a-fractal-using-an-example-from-nature/
The closer we zoom in, the more the
detail we see,
and
we see similar patterns repeated
again and again.
The objects are self similar,
2. Idea of fractal geometry

Latin frāctus, meaning "broken" or "fractured"

The term "fractal" was first used by

mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot in
1975.
 Maybe the idea would be better
understood by taking some artificial
fractals
Self similar, scale-invariant (at all magnifications)
https://fractalfoundation.org/resources/what-are-fractals/
A Sierpinski Triangle is outlined by a fractal tree with three branches forming
an angle of 120° and splitting off at the midpoints. If the angle is reduced, the
triangle can be continuously transformed into a fractal resembling a tree.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierpi%C5%84ski_triangle
3. What are the properties of fractal structures ?
a) Dimensions are not whole numbers
In regular or conventional geometry
Dimensions are
integers or
whole numbers

Log N (number of similar pieces)

N=M
Fractal = Dnew pieces
N = # of
Dimension Log M (magnification factor)
M = magnification
D = dimension
Dimensions are not whole numbers
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Comparison-between
-Euclidean-and-fractal-geometry-D-d-and-f-D-represents-th
e_fig22_262142717/download
 Koch snow flake (self similar and scale-invariant)
You can try this at home

https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/weather/20
22/01/08/why-snowflakes-come-in-beautiful-different-sh
apes
b) Generated by iteration
Fractal objects are generated by iteration of an algorithm, or
formula. The Koch Curve is an example, generated by 4
steps, which are then repeated-iterated -over and over
indefinitely.
Koch Curve
First Iteration
1. Begin with a line
2. Divide line into thirds
3. Remove middle portion
4. Add two lines to form a
triangle in middle third of
original line
Repeat Steps 1 - 4
Koch Curve

2nd Iteration

3rd Iteration

4th Iteration

5th Iteration
 Koch Curve Fractal Dimensions

Log N (number of new pieces) Log .602

D =
Log M (Magnification: factor of finer resolution)
4
Log .477
3

Koch's Curve has a dimension of

1.2618595071429
 Mandelbrot Set The Mandelbrot set is generated by iteration

For those who are keen to program, this would

be fun

The colour shows how

fast z2+c grows, and black means it
stays within a certain range.
https://giphy.com/gifs/self-mandelbrot-similarity-M4ofIAGW
SlIk
Fractal structures offer
• Infinite intricacy
• Zoom symmetry
• Complexity from simplicity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5moYMIp8iU
Mandelbrot, B., 1967. How long is the coast of Britain?
Statistical self-similarity and fractional
dimension. science, 156(3775), pp.636-638.

Cited 4418 times

https://giphy.com/gifs/sea-earth-math-26CaL8
cNprN6sz5WU
 How Long is the Coast of
Great Britain?
It depends on the length of your ruler

The red ruler measures a longer coastline.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fractals_by_Hausdorff_dimension
 How Long is the Coast of
Great Britain?
It depends on the length of your ruler

The coast line is actually infinitely long

Fractal Dimension
=
1.24

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fractals_by_Hausdorff_dimension
4 Applications

• Fractal formulas are used to generate computer graphics that look

realistically like mountain ranges, and rivers, and forests, and clouds.

• Fractals have been used to design antennas in greatly reduced sizes, which
enabled the creation of the next generation of cell phones and other
electronic communicators.

• Fractal geometry is enlarging our ability to create new devices that work
better because they follow patterns that resonate with the natural patterns
around us.
5. Summary
•Fractals structures abound in nature
•They are characterized by self-similarity which is
scale invariant
•Understanding the math behind fractal
geometry have enabled an explosion of
applications
Reading Material
• https://www.diygenius.com/fractals-in-nature/ (Must watch)
• https://theconversation.com/explainer-what-are-fractals-10865
• https://fractalfoundation.org/fractivities/FractalPacks-EducatorsGuid
e.pdf
• https://slideplayer.com/slide/5301454/17/images/8/Fractal+Images.j
pg
• https://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/complex-numbers.html
• Hegde, S.G., Lokesha, R., Ganeshaiah, K.N. and Shaanker, R.U., 1991.
Seed size distribution in plants: an explanation based on fractal
geometry. Oikos, 62(1), pp.100-101.
Hands-on
• One of the common themes of fractal structures is that they show
self similar structures and all scales of observation. In short they are
recursive. Try to demonstrate the fractal nature of one or more of the
following: a) broccoli or cauliflower, b) the branching pattern of a
tree, c) cracks in mud flats (Hint: In each of these, trace the origins of
the structures to the last detail as possible).

• Can you construct a mountain using the principles of fractal geometry

? If so, attempt to create a mountain using recursive geometry. (Hint:
you may use rough sketch to demonstrate this)
Hands-on (to estimate fractal dimension)
• Take two A4 (long) sheets of identical paper.
• Crumple one of the sheets into a spherical ball. Let the mass of this
ball be 1.
• Take the other sheet and tear into half (perpendicular to the long
axis). Crumple one half. Assume the mass of this ball to be ½.
• Take the remaining half and tear it into half (perpendicular to the
long axis). Crumple one half. Assume the mass of this ball to be ¼
• Take the remaining half and tear it into half (perpendicular to the
long axis). Crumple one half. Assume the mass to be 1/8.
contd
• Measure the radius of the spherical paper balls. To get a better
estimate take several diameters of the spherical ball and get an
averaged radius.
• Plot the log(radius), log (mass) for the set of data
• Find the best fit linear regression and the slope of the best-fit line.
• Write the algebraic expression relating Mass (M) of the paper balls to
the radius (r) of the paper balls.
• What is the result ? Interpret your results with respect to dimension
of fractal objects
Exercise 2: Can you construct a mountain using the principles of
fractal geometry ? If so, attempt to create a mountain using
recursive geometry. (Hint: you may use rough sketch to
demonstrate this)
Fractal mountains are generated by taking an equilateral triangle and
recursively subdividing it into smaller and smaller triangles. As each triangle is
subdivided, each new midpoint generated is raised or lowered by a random amount.

Code for generating fractal mountains: (CSE students can give a try)
http://benhaller.com/pubs/Meir1991.pdf
http://www.mrbertman.com/EE/recursion.pdf

Please see the exciting video on creating fractal mountain and the star trek innovation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKrAb97OUXQ

For fractal terrain generator; please see the following video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf7Y4DzuSZE