Preliminary study on interaction between plant frictional root and rock-soil mass

Abstract

The interaction between lateral root System of woody plant and soil mass is similar to the one between shrub, herbage and soil mass, and has the effect of frictional reinforcement on slope soil. It plays an important role in reinforcing soil strength in shallow slope. Therefore, slope soil mass can be considered as a composite of soil and plant roots and the soil strength and stability of shallow slope soil mass are improved. However, current researches still remain on the level of qualitatively analyzing the relation between root and soil mass. In this paper, some exploratory researches on quantitative analysis of the interaction mechanism between root and soil mass are conducted. With the study of interaction between herbage root System (lateral root System of woody plants) and soil mass, the mechanical model of interaction between frictional root and soil mass is established. The accuracy of the model is verified by field experiments of Pinus Yunnanensis. The mechanical model provides a crucial theoretical guidance to quantitatively analyzing the interaction between plant root and soil mass; it also has certain values in application.