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Influence of the spatial layout of vegetation on the stability of slopes

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Abstract

Aims

Plant roots play an important role in the stability of the slope. The efficiency of the vegetation in the slope stability relies on the planting layout on the slope. Vegetation located at the upper, middle, and lower slopes is investigated to determine the influence of the spatial layout of planting on the stability of slopes. Additionally, the role of plant roots in the mechanical mechanism of the vegetated slope is studied.

Methods

A simple root system architecture with one tap root and four lateral roots is selected, and 3D root structure is integrated with the soil. The 3D finite element analysis is used to model the stability of vegetated slopes.

Results

Soil arching takes place in the soil between root systems. As the spacing between root system increases, the effect of vegetation on the slope stability decreases. The effect of vegetation at the upslope and mid-slope on the safety factor of the slope is better than that at the downslope if the plant root system penetrates into the firm ground.

Conclusions

Assessment of the stability of vegetated slopes may be affected by the root structure pattern, the relationship between the root system and the firm ground, and the modeling method of the root system in the ground.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Construction Engineering, National Kaohsiung First University of Science and Technology, 2, Jhuoyue Rd., Nanzih District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 811, Republic of China

    Chia-Cheng Fan

  2. National Kaohsiung First University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Yi-Fan Lai

Authors
  1. Chia-Cheng Fan
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  2. Yi-Fan Lai
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Correspondence to Chia-Cheng Fan.

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Responsible Editor: Alexia Stokes.

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Fan, CC., Lai, YF. Influence of the spatial layout of vegetation on the stability of slopes. Plant Soil 377, 83–95 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-012-1569-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-012-1569-9

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