Vadose Zone Monitoring Techniques

Rykwalder, Philip R.; Blanford, William J.

doi:10.1002/047147844x.gw1221

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 26 publications

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“…The above techniques are bulky and highly invasive [2]. Soil pollution during excavation is a considerable drawback during monitoring water, minerals, nutrients, and contaminants in the soil [3,4]. Less invasive systems, such as penetrometers, are adopted to monitor and extract the characteristic parameters of the subsoil.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Historical evolution and new trends for soil-intruder interaction modeling

2022

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Soil is a crucial resource for life on Earth. Every activity, whether natural or man-made, that interacts with the sub or deep soil can affect the land at large scales (e.g., geological risks). Understanding such interactions can help identify more sustainable and less invasive soil penetration, exploration, and monitoring solutions. Over the years, multiple approaches have been used in modeling soil mechanics to reveal soil behavior. This paper reviews the different modeling techniques used to simulate the interaction between a penetrating tool and the soil, following their use over time. Opening with analytical methods, we discuss the limitations that have partially been overcome by the Finite Element Method (FEM). FEM models are capable of simulating more complex conditions and geometries. However, they require the continuum mechanics assumption. Hence, FEM analysis cannot simulate the discrete processes occurring during soil deformation (i.e., the separation and mixing of soil layers, the appearance of cracks, or the flow of soil particles). The Discrete Element Method (DEM) has thus been adopted as a more promising modeling technique. Alongside models, experimental approaches have also been used to describe soil-intruder interactions, complementing or validating simulation results. Recently, bioinspired approaches have been considered promising to improve sustainability and reduce the invasiveness of classical penetration strategies. This review highlights how DEM-based models can help in studying the interaction mechanisms between bioinspired root-like artificial penetrometers and the soil. Bioinspired designs and the merging of multiple analysis approaches can offer new perspectives. These may be pivotal in the design of highly optimized soil robotic explorers capable of adapting their morphology and penetration strategies based on their surrounding conditions.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Historical evolution and new trends for soil-intruder interaction modeling

2022

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A Novel Growing Device Inspired by Plant Root Soil Penetration Behaviors

et al. 2014

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Moving in an unstructured environment such as soil requires approaches that are constrained by the physics of this complex medium and can ensure energy efficiency and minimize friction while exploring and searching. Among living organisms, plants are the most efficient at soil exploration, and their roots show remarkable abilities that can be exploited in artificial systems. Energy efficiency and friction reduction are assured by a growth process wherein new cells are added at the root apex by mitosis while mature cells of the root remain stationary and in contact with the soil. We propose a new concept of root-like growing robots that is inspired by these plant root features. The device penetrates soil and develops its own structure using an additive layering technique: each layer of new material is deposited adjacent to the tip of the device. This deposition produces both a motive force at the tip and a hollow tubular structure that extends to the surface of the soil and is strongly anchored to the soil. The addition of material at the tip area facilitates soil penetration by omitting peripheral friction and thus decreasing the energy consumption down to 70% comparing with penetration by pushing into the soil from the base of the penetration system. The tubular structure provides a path for delivering materials and energy to the tip of the system and for collecting information for exploratory tasks.

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Vadose Zone Monitoring Techniques

Cited by 2 publications

References 26 publications

Historical evolution and new trends for soil-intruder interaction modeling

Historical evolution and new trends for soil-intruder interaction modeling

A Novel Growing Device Inspired by Plant Root Soil Penetration Behaviors

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