U.S.-New Zealand Cooperative Research: Soil Reinforcement by Vegetation Roots

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This award will support collaborative research between Dr. Tien Wu of Ohio State University and Dr. A. Watson of the New Zealand Forest Research Institute. The principle objective of the project is to establish realistic models of root geometry and soil-root interaction that can be used in analyses and evaluation of vegetation roots as soil reinforcement for civil engineering construction projects. Data collected by the New Zealand Forest Research Institute will be used as the basis for the model. With this data, a two-dimensional soil- root interaction model will be extended into three dimensions. In-situ tests on root systems of Pinus radiata will be performed in New Zealand, and the results used to verify the model. The stochastic nature of root geometry and soil-root interaction will be accounted for in the model. The mean and variance of root and soil properties, generated by the model, will be used to evaluate the mean and variance of the estimated performance of the system in soil reinforcement. The project represents excellent collaboration in combining the models developed by Wu with the existing data base and expertise in field studies available at the New Zealand Forest Research Institute. This is important fundamental work in advancing soil-root interaction models, as well as havingpotential for contributing to the solution of slope stability problems of major concern in such civil engineering projects as watershed management and land use planning.