Bioengineering as an Effective and Ecofriendly Soil Slope Stabilization Method: A Review

Abstract

Soil-bioengineering is a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to the conventional methods of soil slope stabilization and erosion control. Numerous techniques such as fascines, bush layering, vegetated gabions etc. have been developed to enhance the soil slope stability, arrest soil erosion and improve the aesthetic aspect of a project, using plants as well as inert materials. Nevertheless, a limited control on the properties of the plants and the complex interaction of plant roots with the soil and other materials poses a challenge for the accurate design of soil-bioengineering techniques. The design of bioengineering techniques involves accurate evaluation of the root and root-soil properties. Different methods have been developed for the analysis of root and soil-root system that can aid in a better understanding of the complex phenomenon. The Present study provides a review on different aspects of bioengineering techniques for soil slope stabilization measures, especially, the existing techniques of physical modeling, laboratory scale testing and numerical techniques for evaluating the effect of root system on the strength properties of soil-root matrix. The different failure modes of the soil-root system i.e. adhesion failure, tension failure and progressive failure are briefly discussed. The present review will be useful for the design of bioengineering measures for soil slope stabilization or erosion control.