Biomechanics and Utility of Shallow Soil Fixation by Sabina Valgaris Ant. Roots in Arid and Semiarid Soils

• Main Authors: Xijun YAO, Linhe WANG, Jing LIU, Huiwen XING
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: IFSA Publishing, S.L. 2014-03-01
• Series: Sensors & Transducers
• Subjects: Friction validity; Root-soil composite; Shear strength; Tensile strength; Soil fixation; Revegetation.
• Online Access: http://www.sensorsportal.com/HTML/DIGEST/march_2014/Vol_167/P_RP_0088.pdf

Aim: To investigate the biomechanical ability and utility of Sabina valgaris Ant. roots for soil fixation in arid and semiarid coal mining regions. Methods: Direct rapid shear and tensile strengths of shallow soil (~1.5 m) root samples were examined at 12.5 kPa, 25 kPa, 50 kPa, and 100 kPa. Results: Soil samples exhibited mean water content of 4.34 % and dry density of 1.35 g/cm3, though saturated soil (46 %) water content was 17.2 %. Cohesion of Sabina valgaris root-soil composites gradually increased with root diameter (P<0.05), and friction did not change (P>0.05). Friction coefficients of soil-root and soil-soil interfaces were similar, obeying Mohr-Coulomb theory and exhibiting a sclerotic curve. Shear strength of Sabina valgaris Ant. roots were consistently higher than pure soil. In practical applications, the change in tensile forces of Sabina valgaris Ant. roots with plant growth stage are considerable, with lower tensile forces observed during the animated period than in early growth. Conclusion: Increasing root diameter improves tensile properties of shallow soils. These findings indicate that Sabina valgaris Ant. is an appropriate plant for achieving soil fixation and erosion prevention in arid and semiarid regions, though further study will be required to determine their wider applicability.