Test speed and other factors affecting the measurements of tree root properties used in soil reinforcement models

Cofie, P.; Koolen, A.J.

doi:10.1016/s0167-1987(01)00225-2

Cited by 57 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…For tensile tests live roots were collected randomly from soil by excavating pits or trenches (up and downslope) at a depth of about 30 cm below the soil surface (Cofie, Koolen 2001). In order to prevent pre-stress effects, none of the roots was pulled; instead they were cut with sharp scissors, put in plastic bags and loosely sealed .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the laboratory the roots were thoroughly inspected for possible breakage. Root hairs were carefully dismembered and suitable root samples of lengths of about 150 mm were cut (Cofie, Koolen 2001). Before the beginning of each experiment, average root diameter was found out by measuring diameters at about three different positions along the length of the root (de Baets et al 2008;Abdi et al 2010).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of Oriental beech root reinforcement on slope stability (Hyrcanian Forest, Iran)

Abdi

2014

J. For. Sci.

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Vegetation significantly affects hillslope mechanical properties related to shallow landslides and slope stability. The objective of this study was to investigate and quantify the effect of Oriental beech root reinforcement on slope stability. A part of Hyrcanian forest in northern Iran was selected for the study area. To do the research, the Wu model (WM) was used and data related to the distribution and tensile strength of Oriental beech roots were collected. Root distribution was assessed using the concept of the root area ratio and trenching method. Laboratory tensile tests were conducted on fresh roots for strength characteristics. The factor of safety was calculated for two different soil thicknesses (1 and 2 m) and slope gradients between 10 and 45°. The results showed that the root distribution generally decreased with increasing soil depth and the mean root strength value was 38.23 ± 1.19 MPa for 0.35-5.60 mm diameter range. The results verified a power relationship between tensile strength and root diameter. The reinforcement effect (C r ) decreased with depth and the strongest reinforcement effect was in the second soil layer (10-20 cm) which showed a shear strength increase of 1.47 kPa. The increased factor of safety due to the presence of roots in one-and two-metre soil thicknesses was 27-44% and 15-26%, respectively. The improvement effect of roots was increased with increasing slope gradient and shallower soil thicknesses.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Oriental beech root reinforcement on slope stability (Hyrcanian Forest, Iran)

Abdi

2014

J. For. Sci.

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“…Roots for experiments were collected from a forest stand in July 2012. Five diff erent trees were selected randomly from the stand, live roots were collected randomly from the soil by excavating pits or trenches beside trees at a depth of about 30 cm below the soil surface (Cofie et al 2001;Abdi et al 2010). In order to prevent prestress eff ects, none of the roots were pulled; they were instead cut with sharp scissors, put in plastic bags and loosely sealed .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the laboratory, the roots were thoroughly inspected for any possible breakage. Afterward root hairs were carefully dismembered and suitable root samples with lengths of about 150 mm were cut (Cofie, Koolen 2001). Before each experiment began, root diameter was found by measuring diameters at about 3 diff erent positions along the length of the root.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Tensile strength and cellulose content of Persian ironwood (Parrotia persica) roots as bioengineering material

et al. 2014

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Unstable slopes create numerous problems for forest management and may destroy the road network and disturb access to forest. Soil bioengineering is a solution that can prevent these problems and reinforce the hillslope. Persian ironwood is considered as a good protective species for hillslope stability in Iran with an extensive lack of information about biotechnical properties. In this research the root strength of this species and also the relation between root diameter and cellulose content were investigated. The results showed that the mean tensile force and tensile strength were 99.70 ± 2.01 N and 173.23 ± 4.94 MPa, respectively, for the root diameter range between 0.22 and 3.78 mm. The results of ANOVA showed that the power models between root diameter and tensile force and tensile strength were statistically significant and the results of t-test showed that coefficients and constants of the models are also significant. The values of the parameters of the power law (α and β) obtained for Persian ironwood do not fall in the range that has already been suggested for hardwood roots, which may be due to a narrow diameter range. The mean cellulose content was 56.87 ± 5.79% and the relationship between root diameter and cellulose content was not statistically significant. The data presented in this study expand the knowledge of biotechnical properties of Persian ironwood and support the idea that there is still an extensive lack of information about plant roots as a bioengineering material.

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Modelling biome‐scale root reinforcement and slope stability

Hales

2018

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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Rapid changes in the composition of hillslope vegetation due to a combination of changing climate and land use make estimating slope stability a significant challenge. The dynamics of root growth on any individual hillslope result in a wide range of root distributions and strengths that are reflected as up to an order of magnitude variability in root cohesion. Hence the challenge of predicting the magnitude of root reinforcement for hillslopes requires both an understanding of the magnitude and variability of root distributions and material properties (e.g. tensile strength, elasticity). Here I develop a model for estimating the reinforcement provided by plant roots based on the distribution of biomass measured at the biome level and a compilation of root tensile strength measurements measured across a range of vegetation types. The model modifies the Wu/Waldron method of calculating root cohesion to calculate the average lateral root cohesion and its variability with depth using the Monte Carlo method. The model was validated in two ways, the first against the predicted depth-reinforcement characteristics of Appalachian soils and the second using a global dataset of landslides. Model results suggest that the order of magnitude difference in root cohesions measured on individual hillslopes can be captured by the Monte Carlo approach and provide a simple tool to estimate root reinforcement for data-poor areas. The model also suggests that future hotspots of slope instability will occur in areas where land use and climate convert forest to grassland, rather than changes between different forest structures or forest and shrubland.

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Test speed and other factors affecting the measurements of tree root properties used in soil reinforcement models

Cited by 57 publications

References 5 publications

Effect of Oriental beech root reinforcement on slope stability (Hyrcanian Forest, Iran)

Effect of Oriental beech root reinforcement on slope stability (Hyrcanian Forest, Iran)

Tensile strength and cellulose content of Persian ironwood (Parrotia persica) roots as bioengineering material

Modelling biome‐scale root reinforcement and slope stability

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