Planting density influence on fibrous root reinforcement of soils

Loades, Kenneth; Bengough, A. Glyn; Bransby, M. F.; Hallett, Paul D.

doi:10.1016/j.ecoleng.2009.02.005

Cited by 178 publications

(93 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Based on empirical observations ) and on biomechanics studies of roots (Loades et al, 2010), root mechanical properties are highly variable. Despite this evidence, all numerical and analytical models thus far implement the mechanical variability of roots only as a function of their diameters, usually given as a distribution, assuming that roots within a diameter class are homogeneous.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling root reinforcement using a root-failure Weibull survival function

Schwarz

Giadrossich

Cohen

2013

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

136

129

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Abstract. Root networks contribute to slope stability through complex interactions with soil that include mechanical compression and tension. Due to the spatial heterogeneity of root distribution and the dynamics of root turnover, the quantification of root reinforcement on steep slopes is challenging and consequently the calculation of slope stability also. Although considerable progress has been made, some important aspects of root mechanics remain neglected. In this study we address specifically the role of root-strength variability on the mechanical behavior of a root bundle. Many factors contribute to the variability of root mechanical properties even within a single class of diameter. This work presents a new approach for quantifying root reinforcement that considers the variability of mechanical properties of each root diameter class. Using the data of laboratory tensile tests and field pullout tests, we calibrate the parameters of the Weibull survival function to implement the variability of root strength in a numerical model for the calculation of root reinforcement (RBMw). The results show that, for both laboratory and field data sets, the parameters of the Weibull distribution may be considered constant with the exponent equal to 2 and the normalized failure displacement equal to 1. Moreover, the results show that the variability of root strength in each root diameter class has a major influence on the behavior of a root bundle with important implications when considering different approaches in slope stability calculation. Sensitivity analysis shows that the calibration of the equations of the tensile force, the elasticity of the roots, and the root distribution are the most important steps. The new model allows the characterization of root reinforcement in terms of maximum pullout force, stiffness, and energy. Moreover, it simplifies the implementation of root reinforcement in slope stability models. The realistic quantification of root reinforcement for tensile, shear and compression behavior allows for the consideration of the stabilization effects of root networks on steep slopes and the influence that this has on the triggering of shallow landslides.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling root reinforcement using a root-failure Weibull survival function

Schwarz

Giadrossich

Cohen

2013

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

136

129

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The average value of three measurements was taken as the average diameter of a single root. The longitudinal elongation gradient of the root was calculated using (2). Statistical analysis of the 20 root systems was conducted.…”

Section: Selection Of Plant Root Tendonsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mickovski et al reinforced soil with willows and found a strong correlation between the soil cover and shear strength [1]. Loades et al conducted soil strengthening studies using barley roots 2 Advances in Materials Science and Engineering with different densities [2]. Veylon et al performed direct shear tests using three tree species from the high-slope afforestation project in Yunnan and quantified the effect of the soil moisture content on soil reinforcement [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Research on the Strength Variation of Root-Clay Systems under Freeze-Thaw Action

Yang

Wang

Han

et al. 2017

Advances in Materials Science and Engineering

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The aim of this paper is to study the influence of an effective root system of rhizome plants on the reinforcement of slope soil under freeze-thaw conditions. This study focused on the mechanical properties between roots and clay in the root system of four plant species from different regions of China (northeast, northern, central, and southern areas): Setaria viridis, Eleusine indica, Zoysia japonica, and Carex leucochlora. Based on the interfacial friction effects between the plant roots and the soil, pull-out tests and unconfined compressive strength tests were conducted on the reinforced soil system for varying numbers of freeze-thaw cycles. Several stages of the pull-out process of the root system in clay are explicitly proposed based on the interfacial friction test results. The results showed that the friction effect between Zoysia japonica roots and the soil was the most significant and that these roots had the best reinforcement effect. In contrast, the friction and reinforcement effects between Setaria viridis roots and the soil were the worst, and the resulting unconfined compressive strength was the smallest. However, the freeze-thaw resistance ability of the Setaria viridis and soil system was stronger than that of the Zoysia japonica system.

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“…Soil strength is influenced by the extent and length of roots within the root-soil composite (e.g. Operstein and Frydman 2000;Nilaweera and Nutalaya 1999;Yang and Shi 2002;Yang et al 1996;Mickovski and van Beek 2009;Loades et al 2010) as well as the effect of root area ratio (RAR) (PollenBankhead et al 2009(PollenBankhead et al , 2010Mao et al 2012). Mechanical effects of root systems affect the pullout resistance and pull-out strength of root systems, tensile resistance and tensile strength of single roots, and shear resistance and shear strength of single roots (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An exploratory analysis of vegetation strategies to reduce shallow landslide activity on loess hillslopes, Northeast Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China

Brierley

Hong

et al. 2013

J. Mt. Sci.

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Heavy summer rainfall induces significant soil erosion and shallow landslide activity on the loess hillslopes of the Xining Basin at the northeast margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. This study examines the mechanical effects of five native shrubs that can be used to reduce shallow landslide activity. We measured single root tensile resistance and shear resistance, root anatomical structure and direct shear and triaxial shear for soil without roots and five rootsoil composite systems. Results show that Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt. possessed the strongest roots, followed by Caragana korshinskii Kom., Zygophyllum xanthoxylon (Bunge) Maxim., Nitraria tangutorum Bobr. and Lycium chinense Mill. Single root strength and shear resistance relationships with root diameter are characterized by power or exponential relations, consistent with the MohrCoulomb law. Root mechanical strength reflects their anatomical structure, especially the percentage of phloem and xylem cells, and the degree and speed of periderm lignifications. The cohesion force of rootsoil composite systems is notably higher than that of soil without roots, with increasing amplitudes of cohesion force for A. canescens, C. korshinskii, Z. xanthoxylon, N. tangutorum and L. chinense of 75.9%, 75.1%, 36.2%, 24.6% and 17.0 % respectively. When subjected to shear forces, the soil without root samples show much greater lateral deformation than the root-soil composite systems, reflecting the restraining effects of roots. Findings from this paper indicate that efforts to reduce shallow landslides in this region by enhancing root reinforcement will be achieved most effectively using A. canescens and C. korshinskii.

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Planting density influence on fibrous root reinforcement of soils

Cited by 178 publications

References 31 publications

Modeling root reinforcement using a root-failure Weibull survival function

Modeling root reinforcement using a root-failure Weibull survival function

Research on the Strength Variation of Root-Clay Systems under Freeze-Thaw Action

An exploratory analysis of vegetation strategies to reduce shallow landslide activity on loess hillslopes, Northeast Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China

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