Root and fiber reinforcement impacts on pore dynamics and water storage capacity.

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The study aims to develop a predictive framework for water retention in reinforced sand under partially saturated conditions. We examine how intruders like crop roots and nylon fibres modify pore size distribution and water retention in sand. Three soil configurations, bare, root-reinforced, and fibre-reinforced, were tested in laboratory-scale samples under wetting-drying cycles. Soil water retention was monitored, and soil water retention curves were fitted using the Van Genuchten model. Pore size distribution changes were quantified via X-ray computed tomography at capillary, funicular, and pendular regimes. Rooted reinforced samples were analysed, after root growth stopped, to focus only on structural effects, and compared with fibre reinforced soil of equivalent intruder length density. Rooted reinforced soil has a water storage capacity of 15-20% more than fibre reinforced or bare soils, due to larger, interconnected pores, while fibre reinforced forms isolated smaller pores. X-ray computed tomography shows pore size and connectivity changes linked to retention differences. These insights are used to validate a multiphase flow numerical model. The integrated framework will be adopted to develop a predictive model to manage drought-resilient soil.

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

2a. Experimental laboratory characterisation of the multiscale bio-hydro-chemo-mechanical behaviour of rooted soils