Modeling Hydromechanical Reinforcement of Vegetation to Improve the Stability of a Shallow Slope
- Resource Type
- Authors
- Qingsong Duan; Yang Yang; Mingjiao Yan; Chao Su
- Source
- Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering. 57:422-428
- Subject
- 0211 other engineering and technologies
Soil Science
Ocean Engineering
02 engineering and technology
Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
Rainfall infiltration
Finite element method
Factor of safety
General Energy
020401 chemical engineering
Slope stability
Ultimate tensile strength
Cohesion (geology)
Environmental science
Geotechnical engineering
0204 chemical engineering
Reinforcement
021101 geological & geomatics engineering
Water Science and Technology
- Language
- ISSN
- 1573-9279
0038-0741
This study investigated hydromechanical reinforcement on the stability of a vegetated slope. A test of root tensile strength was conducted to assess the root cohesion. Using the 2D finite element method, we quantified the hydromechanical effects of plants on the slope stability in terms of the factor of safety (FOS) and matric suction. Our results show that plants could increase the soil suction to improve the stability of the slope, and a longer drying process would achieve a higher matric suction and FOS. Hydrological reinforcement was three times greater than mechanical reinforcement for the contribution of FOS. The rainfall infiltration led to a decrease in the FOS and matric suction.