PPT on BioEngineering

By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

BEG499BE
Bio-Engineering
Chapter 04 Role of Vegetation
Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Hydrological Effects
Plants affect the hydrological condition in and around a
slope in a variety of ways:
• Interception
• Evapotranspiration
• Infiltration
• Storage
• Leaf drip
• Pool formation
• water uptake
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Hydrological Effects
1) Interception:
• If it is assumed that rain falls vertically, the volume of
rainfall intercepted (IC) can be calculated from the
simple relationship,
IC = Rain * % Canopy Cover
• Some of the intercepted rainfall is stored on the
leaves and stems and is later returned to the
atmosphere by evaporation.
• Some intercepted rainfall reaches the ground either
as stem flow or as leaf drainage.
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Hydrological Effects
a) Stem Flow
• According to Elewijck (1988), the volume of stem flow
(SF) may be estimated as:
– for stem diameters < median volume drop diameter:
SF = TIF (Cos PA * Sin2PA)
– for stem diameters > median volume drop diameter:
SF = TIP * Cos PA

• For plants where the stem diameters are less than the
median volume drop size of the rainfall (e.g. grasses),
stem flow is at a maximum when the stem angles are
between 50° and 70°.
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Hydrological Effects
b) Leaf Drainage (Leaf drip)
• Leaf drainage comprises raindrops that are shattered
into small droplets immediately they strike the
vegetation and large drops formed by the temporary
storage and unification of raindrops on the leaf
before they fall into ground
• For plants with long leaves, like maize, the drops are
mainly channeled along the centre vein and form leaf
drips with diameters of 5–5.5 mm.
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Hydrological Effects
c) Interception Storage
• Leaves and stems hold water for some time before it
eventually reaches the ground; Observed
interception storage (ICstore) varies widely, factor
affecting Interception are:
• Type of vegetation
• Wind velocity
• Duration and intensity of rainfall
• Climate of the area
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Hydrological Effects
d) Soil detachment by raindrop impact
• Vegetation alter the mass of rainfall reaching the
ground, its drop-size distribution and its local
intensity.
• The rate of soil detachment beneath a vegetation
cover depends upon the percentage canopy area,
which controls the volumes of direct through fall and
leaf drainage, and the height of the canopy, which
determines the energy of the leaf drainage.
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Hydrological Effects
d) Soil detachment by raindrop impact
• The energy of rain under vegetation can exceed that
of an equivalent rainfall in open ground

Height Impact
<0.3 m Leaf drainage is small, small damage
0.3 – 1.0 m Significant leaf drainage and soil damage
1.0 – 2.5 m High erosivity and cause soil damage
2.5 – 6.0 m Leaf drip cause erosion & increase soil damage
>6.0 m Little further ability to cause soil damage
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Hydrological Effects
2) Evapotranspiration:
• Water may evaporate from the leaf surfaces and soil
surface, called evaporation

• Plants take up water through their roots and release

of water through the leaves. It is called transpiration

• It is the combined process of the removal of

moisture from the earth’s surface by evaporation and
transpiration from the vegetation cover.
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Hydrological Effects
2) Evapotranspiration
• Evapotranspiration from plant surfaces is compared
to the equivalent evaporation from an open water
body.

• The effect of vegetation is expressed by the Et/Eo

ratio, where Et is the evapotranspiration rate for the
vegetation cover and Eo is the evaporation rate for
open water.
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Hydrological Effects
2) Evapotranspiration
Plant Cover Et/Eo
Forest 0.9 - 1.0
Grass 0.85 – 0.87
Tea 0.9 - 1.0
Maize 0.67 – 0.7
Paddy 1.35
Reference: Withers and Vipond, 1974; Doorenbos and Pruitt, 1977
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Hydrological Effects
3) Infiltration
• Stems and shoots roughen and loosen the ground,
enabling water to infiltrate more easily;
• When rain water reaches the ground underneath
vegetation, it may stand a better chance of
infiltrating than on unvegetated soil.
• Organic matter, root growth, decaying roots,
earthworms, termites and a high level of biological
activity in the soil help to maintain a continuous pore
system and thereby an increase in the infiltration
rate
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Hydrological Effects
4) Infiltration
• Through an increase in the infiltration rate,
decrease the amount of runoff generated during a
storm, and also increase the time taken for runoff
to occur.
• The saturated hydraulic conductivity of a soil (ksat)
depends on its texture and structure, the presence
of cracks and the number of biopores it contain
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Hydrological Effects
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Hydrological Effects
5) Pool Formation
• Stems may trap water running over the ground
surface to form pools, preventing run-off;

6) Surface Crusting
• On Silty soils, the finer particles detached by raindrop
impact clog up the pores and cracks and reduce the
infiltration rate.
• A 50% reduction in infiltration can occur in one storm
• The infiltration capacity of sandy soils in Mali ranges
from 100 to 200 mm/h but, when a crust has
developed, it is reduced to 10 mm/h.
 PPT on BioEngineering

Hydrological function of Vegetation

By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Rain
Water evaporates Plant canopy intercept rain
from the leaf surfaces drops before it hit ground

Water is stored in the

Surface run-off is slowed canopy and stems
by stems and grass leaves
Large or localized water
droplets fall from the leaves

Stems and roots increase the

roughness of the ground surface Roots extract moisture from soil
and the permeability of the soil which is then released to the air
through transpiration
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Hydraulic Effects
1) Surface Roughness and Flow velocity
• Surface roughness is inversely related to both the velocity
and quantity of runoff by the following equations:
1 2 1 1 5 3 12
v = R 3S 2 Q= R S
n n
• where u=the velocity of the flow (m/s); R=the hydraulic
radius (m), often taken as equal to flow depth in shallow
flows; S=slope of the energy line (m/m); n=Manning’s
roughness coefficient (m1/6); and Q=the quantity of runoff
(m3/ms).

• The roughness coefficient is the roughness imparted by the

soil particles, surface micro-topography and vegetation
(plant arrangement, plant population, litter, mulch)
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Hydraulic Effects
1) Surface Roughness and Flow velocity
• The possible range of n is 0.01(bare smooth soil), 0.07
(straw mulch), 0.2-0.4 (grass). Thus, for a constant
amount of runoff, surface roughness reduces flow
velocity on a mulched field to approximately one-third
and on a grass field to one eighth of what it would be
on bare smooth soil.
• The level of roughness depends upon the morphology
of the plant and its density of growth.
• Greatest reductions in flow velocity occur with dense,
spatially uniform vegetation covers.
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Hydraulic Effects
2) Sediment Transport Capacity
• Transport capacity is proportional to the volume
of runoff raised to the power of between 1.6 and
1.8.
• Also, it is inversely related to both roughness, n,
raised by powers of between 0.15 and 0.5, and
particle size, raised by the power of
approximately 1.
• Vegetation will affect the transport capacity of
runoff by controlling its volume and, through the
effect on surface roughness and its velocity.
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Hydraulic Effects
3) Soil Detachment by Flow
• Soil detachment is defined as the dislodgment of soil
particles from the soil mass at a particular location
on the soil surface by the erosive forces of rainfall
and surface flow of water
• Soil detachment occurs when shear stress applied by
water flow (ρgSQ) exceeds shear strength of soil (τc)
• Vegetation changes soil properties (i.e. soil nutrient
elements, soil bulk density and soil porosity), thus
influencing the infiltration rate and flow, and soil
detachment indirectly
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Hydraulic Effects
4) Transport of Splashed Material
• the transport of the splashed particles depends
upon the quantity of the splashed material
which goes into the flow and on the flow velocity
• The greater the velocity of runoff generated, the
more splashed material is likely to be moved out
of an area
• Thus infiltration and surface roughness, through
their effects on runoff generation, controls the
splash process
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Hydraulic Effects
5) Sedimentation
• Vegetation not only retards flow but acts as a filter
to sediment being carried in the flow.

• Plants increase roughness, modify flow patterns

and provide additional drag, decreasing the bed-
shear stress and enhancing local sediment
deposition.

• The denser the vegetation, the more sediment can

be trapped and removed from the flow
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Hydraulic Effects
6) Modification of Air flow
• Plants are able to modify air flow by reducing the
surface exposed to the wind, trapping particles in
motion and absorbing momentum from the flow.
• Vegetation reduces the shear velocity of the wind by
exerting a drag on the air
flow. It will transfer momentum
from the air to the vegetation
implies a reduction in velocity
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Engineering (Mechanical) Effects

1) Reinforce
• The roots and rhizomes of the vegetation interact
with the soil to produce a composite material high
tensile strength

• Increase in soil strength through an increase in

cohesion due to binding action and adhesion of the
soil particles to the roots
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Engineering (Mechanical) Effects

1) Reinforce
• Grasses, legumes and small shrubs can have a
significant reinforcing effect down to depths of 0.75–
1.5 m.

• Trees can enhance soil strength to depths of 3 m or

more depending upon the root morphology
 PPT on BioEngineering

Engineering (Mechanical) Effects

By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

2) Armour (cover)

• Vegetation absorbs the energy of falling rain and,

like a armour, protect the slope against surface
erosion from both rain splash effect and runoff.

• Also, it protects the soil by absorbing the impact of

walkers, livestock etc.
 PPT on BioEngineering

Engineering (Mechanical) Effects

By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

3) Anchor
• Vegetation anchor the surface material by extending
roots through potential failure planes into firmer
strata below.

• The tap and sinker roots of many tree species

extend through several meters into the soil layers
and into the underlying bedrock, anchoring them to
the slope.
 PPT on BioEngineering

Engineering (Mechanical) Effects

By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

4) Catch
• Loose materials which can roll down a slope can be
controlled by planting vegetation.

• The stems, trunks and roots can catch and hold

loose material moving down the slope
 PPT on BioEngineering

Engineering (Mechanical) Effects

By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

5) Support
• Lateral earth pressure causes a lateral and outward
movement of slope materials.

• Large and mature plants can provide support and

prevent movement.

• The root cylinder of trees holds up the slope above

through buttressing and arching.
 PPT on BioEngineering

Engineering (Mechanical) Effects

By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Engineering (Mechanical) Effects

6) Root Wedging
• Root wedging is a process whereby fissures and
joints in rocks are opened up by the advance and
growth of roots.

• At steep slopes, the wedging action of plant roots

can dislodge and topple blocks /sections of the rock.

• Root wedging likely to cause instability after the

death of the tree
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Engineering (Mechanical) Effects

7) Surcharging
• Surcharge arises from the additional weight of the
vegetation cover (mainly trees) on the soil.

• Surcharge increases the down slope forces on a

slope, lowering the resistance of the soil mass to
sliding,

• Nevertheless, surcharge at the top of a slope can

reduce overall stability whereas, at the bottom of the
slope, it will increase stability.
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Engineering (Mechanical) Effects

8) Draining

• The planting configuration of the vegetation can

enhance drainage or water infiltration.

• Diagonal and angled grass or vegetation lines can

“canalise” the water
 Engineering (Mechanical) Effects
PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Stems and trunks trap

materials that are moving Roots bind soil particles to the
down the slope ground surface and reduce their
susceptibility to erosion.
Catch
Armour

Tap roots or near vertical Roots penetrating

roots penetrate into the through the soil cause it to
firmer stratum below and resist deformation.
pin down the overlaying
materials. Reinforce
Anchor

Support

The root cylinder of

trees holds up the slope
above through
buttressing and arching.
 PPT on BioEngineering

Soil Strength
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

• The shear strength of soil is the resistance to

deformation by continuous shear displacement of
soil particles by the action of shear stress

• The shear strength (Mohr Columb equation) can be

represented by:
τ = c′ + σ ′ tan φ
Where, c = cohesion, and φ is angle of shearing
resistance, σ = normal stress
 PPT on BioEngineering

Effect of Root on Shear Strength

By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Where,
z = Thickness of Shear zone, x = Horizontal Deflection of root
θ = angle of shear distortion, fs = skin friction along root
TR = Root tensile strength
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Effect of Root on Shear Strength

• The tensile force developed in the roots when the
soil is sheared can be resolved into tangential
component which directly resists shear and a normal
component which increase the confining stress on
the shear plane.
• The Shear strength in the presence of root is, TR

θ
τ + ∆τ = c′ + (σ ′ + TR cos θ ) tan φ + TR sin θ
• The increased shear strength (∆τ) is given by,
∆τ = TR cos θ tan φ + TR sin θ
∆τ = TR (cos θ tan φ + sin θ )
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Effect of Root on Shear Strength

• Therefore, the increased shear strength (∆τ) is,

∆τ = t R (cos θ tan φ + sin θ ) (1)

Where,
tR = average mobilized tensile strength of root
per unit area of soil
θ = angle of shear distortion
ϕ = angle of internal friction (shearing resistance)
 PPT on BioEngineering

Effect of Root on Shear Strength

By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

• Average mobilized tensile strength of root per unit

area of soil
 AR 
t R = TR   (2)
 A
• The angle of shear distortion (θ) is,
 x
θ = Tan  
−1
(3)
z
• Subsitituting Eq. (2) into (1),
 AR 
∆τ = TR  (cos θ tan φ + sin θ ) ( 4)
 A
 PPT on BioEngineering

Effect of Root on Shear Strength

By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

• The value of bracketed term (cosθtanϕ+sin θ) nearly

equals to 1.2
 AR 
∆τ = 1.2TR   (5)
 A

• The fraction of soil cross section occupied by roots

(Root area ratio) is,
AR
=
∑n a
i i
( 6)
A A
 PPT on BioEngineering

Effect of Root on Shear Strength

By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

• Average tensile strength of root (TR),

TR =
∑ Tna
i i i
(7 )
ni ai

Ti = the strength of roots in size class ‘i’,

 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Root Tensile Strength

• The relationship between root tensile strength
and diameter can be expressed as:
Tr = nD m

Where,
Tr = root tensile strength
D = root diameter
n & m = empirical constant for a given tree
species (n ≈ 29.1 – 87.0 & m ≈ - 0.76 – -0.46)
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Root Decay and Strength Loss

• Loss of stability after felling of tree is due to root decay
and strength loss

• The strength loss with time, − bt

Trt = Tr 0 e
Where,
Tr0 = Tensile strength of root wood sampled from
live trees
Trt = Tensile strength of roots sampled from
stumps cut t months before sampling
b = probability of decay
t = age of stump (time between felling and sampling)
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Root Tensile Strength

• The time for root strength to decline to half the living

root strength is:
−b
t0.5 = log 0.5 / log e
• Where,
t0.5 = the root strength “half life” after felling
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Soil Strength and Stability Analysis

Significance
• To assess the stability of slopes under short-term
and long-term conditions.
• To assess the possibility of landslides involving
natural or existing engineered slopes.
• To understand failure mechanisms and the
influence of environmental factors.
• To enable the redesign of failed slopes and the
planning and design of preventive and remedial
measures
• To study the effect of seismic loadings on slopes
and embankments
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Stability Analysis
The stability of a slope against failure is evaluated by the
factor of safety (F), which is defined as the ratio of the
resistance of the soil mass to shear along a potential slip
plane to the shear force acting on that plane.
τf
F=
τm
Where,
F = Factor of Safety
τf= Shear strength of soil
τm=Mobilized Shear strength
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Stability Analysis
The effective normal stress
Root Free Soil σ ′ = σ ′z cos i
= (γz cos i − γ w h cos i ) cos i
= (γz − γ w h ) cos 2 i
Tangential Stress
τ = γz cos i sin i
τ f c′ + σ ′ tan φ
F= =
τm τ
c′ + (γz − γ w h ) cos 2 i tan φ
=
γz cos i sin i
 PPT on BioEngineering

Stability Analysis
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Rooted Soil
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

Stability Analysis
Rooted Soil

F=
[ ]
(c′ + c′R ) + {(γz − γ w h ) + W }cos 2 i + T sin θ tan φ ′ + T cos θ
{(γz + W ) sin i + D}cos i
Where,
C’R = Enhanced effective cohesion due to roots
W = Surcharge due to weight of vegetation
T = Tensile root force acting at the base of the slip plane
D = Wind load parallel to the slope
θ = angle between roots
hw=vertical height of GWT above the slip plane
 PPT on BioEngineering
By:-Dr. Pradeep K. Shrestha

End of Chapter 4