Abstract
The research area that is in the north of Istanbul (Turkey) and it is a land of open pit coal mining residuals reclaimed and turned to forest in 1988–1989. The materials that are open pit mine spoils are formed by sandy loam, sandy clay loam, heavy loam and clay (noncalcareous Pliocene I sediments). Pseudoacacia (Robinia pseudoacacia), Maritima Pine (Pinus pinaster) and Stone Pine (Pinus pinea) are planted on these materials. The aims of this research were to determine the strength of the material provided by tree roots and evaluate the performance of the forestation practices at lands especially where open pit coal mining spoil (residual) materials piled up. The research has been performed at two stages. The first one was ‘hydro-mechanical effect’ concerned about material moisture depletion as a result of transpiration and the second one was ‘bio-mechanical effects’ due to strength parameters of the roots and their growth pattern within the material. All results were evaluated in relation to tensile strength and displacement curves due to pre and post failure behaviors of materials and root systems. The results showed the increase of the displacement of the material was the significant indicator of the bio-mechanics tensile strength of the material provided by the tree roots. The fast growing type of tree roots have stabilized the material up to a depth for 80–100 cm by covering the coal residual materials within 12 years.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
N.C. Brady (1990) The Nature and Properties of Soils Tenth Edition Mc Millian Publishers New York 620
D.H. Gray H. Ohashi (1983) ArticleTitleMechanics of fiber reinforcement in sand Journal of Geotechnical Engineering ASCE 109 IssueID3 335–353
D.H. Gray B. Sotir (1995) ArticleTitleBiotechnical stabilization of steepened slopes Transportation Researches Record No.1474 23–29
Kantarci M. D. (1988). Land use and main ecological research and assessment of open pit coal mining area for forestation at the northern part of Catalca Peninsula (Agacli/Istanbul Region). Istanbul University, Faculty of Forestry Press. Series: A,38(1), 60–90 (in Turkish)
Kantarci M. D. (2000). Soil science. Istanbul University, Faculty of Forestry Press No: 462, I.U. No: 4261, Istanbul (in Turkish)
Tokgöz N. (2003). Research on the effect of the tree roots on the forested land over the open coal mine residual materials, rehabilitation and stabilization the land. PhD Thesis, Istanbul University, Istanbul (in Turkish)
V. Operstein S. Frydman (2000) ArticleTitleThe influence of vegetation on soil strength Ground Improvement 4 81–89
L.J. Waldron (1977) ArticleTitleShear resistance of root-permeated homogenous and stratified soil Soil, Science, Society of America Journal 41 843–849
L.J. Waldron S. Dakessian (1981) ArticleTitleSoil reinforcement by roots: calculation of increased soil shear resistance from root properties Soil Science 132 IssueID6 427–435
T.H. Wu W.P. Mckinnel D.N. Swanston (1979) ArticleTitleStrength of tree roots and landslides on Prince of Wales Island Alaska Canadian Geotechnical Journal 16 IssueID1 19–33
Wu T.H., Mcommer R.M., Erb R.T., Beal B.E. (1988–b). A study of soil root interaction. Journal of Geotechnical Engineering ASCE 114: 1376–1394 (GT 12. No.12)
T.H. Wu B. Watson (1998) ArticleTitleIn situ shear tests of soil blocks with roots Canadian Geotechnical Journal 35 579–590
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tokgöz, D.N. A study on the bio-hydro mechanical effects of the tree roots on the Agaclı coal reclaimed – forested land. Geotech Geol Eng 23, 519–535 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-004-8679-y
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-004-8679-y