A multivariate database for root-induced mechanical reinforcement: status of work and initial insights

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4. A multivariate database for root-induced mechanical reinforcement: status of work and initial insights

It is well established that roots contribute significantly to the strength of the soils in which they grow. As society becomes increasingly aware of environmental concerns and the detrimental effects of human activities on ecosystems, Soil and Water Bioengineering (SWB) methods, such as slope stabilization utilizing vegetation, are progressively emerging within the field of geotechnical engineering.  The contribution to soil strength can be modelled through an increase in the value of the friction angle or, more frequently, effective cohesion. This paper provides an initial insight into a quantitative database of root-induced effective cohesion. The database relies on a comprehensive review of technical literature, focusing on the depth-wise trends of effective cohesion, root distribution, and density. In addition, the database aims to incorporate, where available, a large number of variables including the number, age, and size of the plant species examined, as well as soil and climate information. The paper describes the structure of the multivariate database and discusses its potential developments and utilization for future data-driven analyses relying on multivariate statistical, probabilistic, and/or machine learning approaches among others. Although at a work-in-progress stage, the dataset and the insights derived from it serve as a valuable resource for researchers aiming to enhance understanding of the resistance increase in rooted soils.

3rd International Workshop on Soil-Vegetation-Atmosphere Interaction (RootS2025)

2b. Field scale characterisation of the bio-hydro-chemo-mechanical behaviour of rooted soils