Soil stabilization using Plant Roots

Published on 19 Apr 2022. Written by Vinay Raj

Soil bioengineering is the process of using the plants and their resources to stabilize the soil. The strength of the roots is used to stabilize and increase the strength of the natural and man-made soil. This technique is already used in many countries including in India.

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In this project, we can increase the strength that is lacking in the soil by using the plants. The root of the plants is taken and introduced into the soil sample. Roots not only gives strength to the soil but also make it stable to the soil mass so it will be stable during landslides and earthquakes. This can be very helpful in the areas where the landslides are very frequent.

In this project, the plants that are available in the nearby area is used. Plants are collected from the nearby countryside and they are grown in the flower pots in a controlled environment. Then a test is performed by using the plant roots with soil mass. Vibration test is done on the plants to know the strength between the roots and soil. This will help them to understand the bonding and holding of the roots. Different types of plants are used to get different results.

Requirements

• Knowledge of Geotechnical engineering.
• Plants with good roots strength.
• Geotechnical laboratory to evaluate the soil properties.

Project Implementation

1. Collect the soil sample and perform the laboratory tests to find initial characteristics of the soil sample.
2. Determine the index properties of the soil.
3. Conduct the shear test on soil samples with plant roots.
4. Perform Analysis of the root systems to find the root distribution in the soil.
5. Conduct Optimum moisture content, Shear strength, and Unconfined Compressive Strength and Permeability tests on the soil sample.

Advantages of using plant roots as Soil stabilization

1. Avoids erosion of the soil by air, water, and landslides.
2. A Decrease in the permeability of the soil.
3. Increase in shear resistance of the soil.

Conclusion:

Many areas are prone to the landslides and by using this method we not only increase the stability of the soil but also increasing some of the engineering and index properties. By using plants roots as the reinforcing, it may bring up the 60% of plants under the respective area.

Kit required to develop Soil stabilization using Plant Roots:

• NA

Technologies you will learn by working on Soil stabilization using Plant Roots:

• Geotechnical Engineering
• Soil Stabilization
• Plant Roots
• Reinforced

Any Questions?