Study of Soil‐Root Interaction

Abstract

Soil reinforcement by roots is studied by considering the contribution of the tensile force in a root segment that intersects a potential slip surface in a soil‐root system. To evaluate the tensile force when the system is subjected to a shear displacement, the root segment is analyzed as a beam on elastic‐plastic support and as a cable for small and large displacements, respectively. Equilibrium and displacement compatibility at a branch point are used to analyze the distribution of forces between two root branches of a root system. Laboratory model tests and in situ root tests were performed to verify the analytical models. The analytical models and in situ root tests are used as means of evaluating the shearing resistance of the reinforced soil.