Abstract
Problem statement: Soil consolidation is generally time dependent, therefore soil displacement as a result root water uptake is space and time dependent. The time-dependent nature of abstraction of ground water by vegetation need to be evaluated in order understand the effect of time elapse on matric suction a generation and subsequent ground displacement. Approach: The current approach used the theory of unsaturated soils with modification due to assumption made in the course of model formulation with two stress state variables principles. A volume change was modeled as a result of matric suction change caused by vegetative induced moisture migration. The effect of elapsed time for full cycle are simulated for periods that covers a spring/summer soil-drying phase of 6 months followed by an autumn/winter 6 month recharge phase. Results: The results of this evaluation showed that the soil matric suction and deformation increases with time spring/summer soil-drying phase of 6 months followed decreases during autumn/winter 6 month recharge phase. There is also decreased in the suction generation and ground displacement as the lateral distance from the Lime tree trunk increases. Conclusion: This study provided a valuable and a relatively accurate means to estimate the influences of vegetation on ground taking the various elapsed times into account. The effect of rainfall has been incorporated into the simulation study, as study of this kind is not complete with inclusion of rainfall data.
Highlights
IntroductionThe soil deformation is studied due to extraction of groundwater
In groundwater field, the soil deformation is studied due to extraction of groundwater
The vegetative induced ground movement might be as a result of vegetative moisture induced migration which causes change in strain resulting from an increased in matric suction
Summary
The soil deformation is studied due to extraction of groundwater. In prediction of soil movement two fundamental stages are generally involved; an assessment of the changes in moisture conditions and the knowledge of the volumatric strains induced by these change. The variation in the moisture content leads to a change in the effective stress that causes a decrease in porosity and void volume which eventually results into volume change in soil. Vegetative induced moisture movement and its subsequent migration to or from atmosphere cause a great deal of soil movement via shrinkage and swelling which causes volume change. This volume change in unsaturated soil can be expressed in terms of deformations or relative movement of the phases of the soils. Abstraction of ground water by roots is a complex process involving the interaction of the atmosphere, plant and soil properties Nyambayo and Potts (2010)
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