REN Zhihua1,2, YAN Zhixin1, JIANG Ping1, SONG Yun3
1. School of Civil Engineering and Mechanics, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China;2. Institute of Highway Science and Technology of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650051, China;3. College of Civil Engineering and Mechanics, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
Abstract:With the help of plant roots, the slope vegetation makes the slope soil mass a composite material of soil and roots, therefore, significantly enhances the shear strength of the slope soil mass and the stability of the slope. Meanwhile, the plant roots within the soil also have the functions of stabilizing the soil structure, enhancing the soil mass impact resistance and preventing the soil erosion. Moreover, the tree crown, the stem leaf and the fallen leaf over the slope vegetation are helpful in intercepting the rainfall and reducing the erosion that the high-speed rain drop may cause on the slope. However, due to the complexity of the force condition of the plant roots and the volatility of the rock and soil medium, the correlative studies remain as qualitative analysis. The interaction and the mechanical action of the slope vegetation and the soil strengthening are studied, to reveal the effects of the frictional roots and anchorage roots on the slope rock and soil. The roles of the slope vegetation in the soil environment optimization, the enhancement of the slope impact resistance, the rainfall interception, and the reduction of the raindrop erosion are analyzed.