Skip to main content

Numerical Simulations of the Mechanical Contribution of the Plant Roots to Slope Stability

  • Chapter

Part of the book series: Springer Series in Geomechanics and Geoengineering ((SSGG))

Abstract

Soil bioengineering methods in slope stabilisation are becoming more and more popular, when ecological solutions are desirable. Simple, numerical models were created in order to assess the mechanical contribution of the roots reinforcement to slope stability. Two- and three-dimensional analyses were conducted for different geometries of root architectures and different soil conditions. Obtained values of a factor of safety (FOS) are compared and discussed. From these data, it is possible to determine, which root reinforcement cases have the greatest impact on the stability of the slope.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Ali, N., Farshchi, I., Mu’azu, M.A., Rees, S.W.: Soil-Root Interaction and Effects on Slope Stability Analysis. Electronic Journal of Geotechnical Engineers 17, 319–328 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Comino, E., Druetta, A.: In situ Shear Tests of Soil Samples with Grass Roots in Alpine Environment. American Journal of Environmental Sciences 5(4), 475–486 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Fan, C.C., Su, C.F.: Role of roots in the shear strength of root-reinforced soils with high moisture content. Ecological Engineering 33, 157–166 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Itasca Consulting Group: FLAC 3D Version 3.0 User’s Guide, Minneapolis (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Kokutse, N., Fourcaud, T., Kokou, K., Lac, P.: 3D Numerical Modelling and Analysis of the Influence of Forest Structure on Hill Slopes Stability. In: Proceedings to the INTERPRAEVENT International Symposium Disaster Mitigation of Debris Flows, Slope Failures and Lanslides, Niigata, Japan, pp. 561–567 (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Köstler, J.N., Brückner, E., Bibelriether, H.: Die Wurzeln der Waldbäume. Untersuchungen zur Morphologie der Waldbäume in Mitteleuropa. P.Parey, Hamburg (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Mickovski, S.B., Stokes, A., van Beek, R., Ghestem, M., Fourcaud, T.: Simulation of direct shear tests on rooted and non-rooted soil using finite element analysis. Ecological Engineering 37, 1523–1532 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Schwarz, M., Lehmann, P., Or, D.: Quantifying lateral root reinforcement in steep slopes-from a bundle of roots to tree stands. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 35, 354–367 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Stokes, A., Atger, C., Bengough, A.G., Fourcaud, T., Sidle, R.C.: Desirable plant root traits for protecting natural and engineered slopes against landslides. Plant Soil 324, 1–30 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Thomas, R., Pollen-Bankhead, N.: Modelling root-reinforcement with a fiber-bundle model and Monte Carlo simulation. Ecological Engineering 36, 47–61 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Tiwari, R.C., Bhandary, N.P., Yatabe, R., Bhat, D.R.: New Numerical scheme in the finite-element method for evaluating the root-reinforcement effect on slope stability. Geotechnique 63, 129–139 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Waldron, L.J., Dakessian, S.: Soil reinforcement by roots, calculation of increased soil shear resistance from root properties. Soil Science 132(6), 427–435 (1981)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Wan, Y., Xue, Q., Zhao, Y.: Mechanism Study and Numerical Simulation on Vegetation Affecting the Slope Stability. Electronic Journal of Geotechnical Engineers 16, 741–751 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Wilkinson, P.L., Anderson, M.G., Lloyd, D.M.: An integrated hydrological model for rain-induced landslide prediction. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 27, 1285–1297 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Wilkinson, P.L., Anderson, M.G., Lloyd, D.M., Renaud, J.: Landslide hazard and bioengineering: towards providing improved decision support through integrated numerical model development. Environmental Modeling & Software 17, 333–344 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Wu, T.H.: Investigation of landslides on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska. Geotechnical Engr. Report N°5, Dept. of Civil Engr. Ohio State University, p. 94. Columbus (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Wu, T.H., McKinell, W.P., Swantson, D.N.: Strength of tree roots and landlides on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska. Canadian Geotechnical Journal 16, 19–33 (1979)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Barbara Maria Switala .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Switala, B.M., Wu, W. (2015). Numerical Simulations of the Mechanical Contribution of the Plant Roots to Slope Stability. In: Wu, W. (eds) Recent Advances in Modeling Landslides and Debris Flows. Springer Series in Geomechanics and Geoengineering. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11053-0_22

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11053-0_22

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-11052-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-11053-0

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics