Experimental Study of Influence of Plant Roots on Dynamic Characteristics of Clay
Conducting research on the dynamic behavior of root–soil systems is crucial for accurately assessing the seismic response of ecological slopes, thereby providing a scientific foundation for the development of appropriate seismic design measures. Documentation of the improvement of soil dynamics thro...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/2/495 |
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| author | Quan Shen Cong Tang Chengli Zhang Yongchun Ma |
| author_facet | Quan Shen Cong Tang Chengli Zhang Yongchun Ma |
| author_sort | Quan Shen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Conducting research on the dynamic behavior of root–soil systems is crucial for accurately assessing the seismic response of ecological slopes, thereby providing a scientific foundation for the development of appropriate seismic design measures. Documentation of the improvement of soil dynamics through vegetation root systems is insufficient in the current research. This study utilizes resonance column tests to explore how root systems influence the dynamic properties of clayey soil and to uncover the mechanisms behind this enhancement. The results indicate that both root distribution and mass density have a significant impact on the soil’s dynamic shear modulus and damping ratio. When roots are distributed in the upper part of the soil, the dynamic shear modulus and damping ratio of the soil are higher than in cases of even distribution or concentration in the lower part. The dynamic shear modulus initially increases and then decreases with the increase in root mass density, reaching its peak at a root mass density of 1.5% g·cm<sup>−3</sup>. The damping ratio is influenced by both root mass density and confining pressure, with different critical root mass densities observed under varying confining pressures. The maximum enhancement in dynamic shear modulus is 27.6%, achieved at a 3% root mass density, with a peak damping ratio of 5.39%. Variations in both dynamic shear modulus and damping ratio with shear strain follow the Hardin–Drnevich hyperbolic curve. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-720a34134eec40f1b84bd335d5a21d30 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-720a34134eec40f1b84bd335d5a21d302025-01-24T13:19:34ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-01-0115249510.3390/app15020495Experimental Study of Influence of Plant Roots on Dynamic Characteristics of ClayQuan Shen0Cong Tang1Chengli Zhang2Yongchun Ma3School of Civil Engineering, Hunan University of Technology, Zhuzhou 412007, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering, Hunan University of Technology, Zhuzhou 412007, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering, Hunan University of Technology, Zhuzhou 412007, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering, Hunan University of Technology, Zhuzhou 412007, ChinaConducting research on the dynamic behavior of root–soil systems is crucial for accurately assessing the seismic response of ecological slopes, thereby providing a scientific foundation for the development of appropriate seismic design measures. Documentation of the improvement of soil dynamics through vegetation root systems is insufficient in the current research. This study utilizes resonance column tests to explore how root systems influence the dynamic properties of clayey soil and to uncover the mechanisms behind this enhancement. The results indicate that both root distribution and mass density have a significant impact on the soil’s dynamic shear modulus and damping ratio. When roots are distributed in the upper part of the soil, the dynamic shear modulus and damping ratio of the soil are higher than in cases of even distribution or concentration in the lower part. The dynamic shear modulus initially increases and then decreases with the increase in root mass density, reaching its peak at a root mass density of 1.5% g·cm<sup>−3</sup>. The damping ratio is influenced by both root mass density and confining pressure, with different critical root mass densities observed under varying confining pressures. The maximum enhancement in dynamic shear modulus is 27.6%, achieved at a 3% root mass density, with a peak damping ratio of 5.39%. Variations in both dynamic shear modulus and damping ratio with shear strain follow the Hardin–Drnevich hyperbolic curve.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/2/495plant roots and clayresonant column testdynamic characteristicsdynamic shear modulusdamping ratioroot mass density |
| spellingShingle | Quan Shen Cong Tang Chengli Zhang Yongchun Ma Experimental Study of Influence of Plant Roots on Dynamic Characteristics of Clay Applied Sciences plant roots and clay resonant column test dynamic characteristics dynamic shear modulus damping ratio root mass density |
| title | Experimental Study of Influence of Plant Roots on Dynamic Characteristics of Clay |
| title_full | Experimental Study of Influence of Plant Roots on Dynamic Characteristics of Clay |
| title_fullStr | Experimental Study of Influence of Plant Roots on Dynamic Characteristics of Clay |
| title_full_unstemmed | Experimental Study of Influence of Plant Roots on Dynamic Characteristics of Clay |
| title_short | Experimental Study of Influence of Plant Roots on Dynamic Characteristics of Clay |
| title_sort | experimental study of influence of plant roots on dynamic characteristics of clay |
| topic | plant roots and clay resonant column test dynamic characteristics dynamic shear modulus damping ratio root mass density |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/2/495 |
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