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SUMMARY:How roots reinforce soil and enhance slope stability
DTSTART:20140325T161500
DTEND:20140325T171500
DTSTAMP:20260506T054859Z
UID:240285048436bd5a56f6f2b3579ab50f4ff40e32e80e0f1bc8e0c0ee
CATEGORIES:Conferences - Seminars
DESCRIPTION:Dr Massimiliano Schwarz\, School of Agricultural\, Forest and 
 Food Sciences (HAFL)\, Bern University of Applied Sciences CH\nAbstract:\n
 The quantification of root reinforcement represents a key issue in differe
 nt area of engineering (slope stability\, soil protection\, silviculture/t
 ree stability\, hydraulic).  Between all the effects of plants on the phy
 sical and chemical soil processes (direct and indirect)\, the mechanical e
 ffect of roots is considered particularly important for slope stability. T
 he study of root reinforcement is faced with the high complexity of intera
 ctions of processes and factors at different spatial-temporal scales. In p
 articular\, the hierarchical spatial heterogeneity of vegetation and its e
 ffects on soil processes represents a big challenge for quantitative up-sc
 aling methods. The objective of this seminar is to contextualize the compl
 exity of the root-soil interactions in view of slope stability problems\, 
 to review the recent scientific contributions in the quantification of roo
 t reinforcement\, and to discuss the practical meaning of recent research 
 results.\nThe presentation follows the central theme of an up-scaling fram
 ework for the implementation of root reinforcement in slope stability anal
 ysis\, discussing specific topics such as pullout force of single roots\, 
 root bundle mechanics\, spatial heterogeneity of root distribution\, and t
 riggering mechanism of shallow landslides. The above-mentioned factors and
  processes build up the modules implemented in a numerical model for slope
  stability calculations\, the SOSlope model . The results of simulations p
 erformed with the SOSlope model serve as background for the discussion on 
 the role of root reinforcement for protection forests management and bioen
 gineering applications.Short biography:\nWith a master thesis on bioengine
 ering at the SLF in Davos\, Massimiliano Schwarz graduated in Forest engin
 eering at the University of Florence (IT). After a short experience in the
  practice in the canton of Grisons (Zuoz\, CH)\, he started a PhD at the W
 SL on the "Hydro-mechanical characterization of rooted hillslope failure: 
 from field investigations to fiber bundle modeling"\, associated to the do
 ctoral schools at both EPFL and ETHZ.\nIn 2010\, Dr Schwarz started a part
 -time activity as lecturer and scientific collaborator at the Bern Univers
 ity of Applied Sciences\, and as a visiting scientific at the WSL.\nHis pr
 ofessional interest is oriented on different issues related to landscape a
 nd resources management in mountain regions. In particular\, his research 
 focuses on the quantification of the interaction between vegetation and hy
 dro-mechanical processes at different temporal and spatial scales. His tea
 ching activity at the University of Applied Sciences in Bern covers the to
 pics of bioengineering\, natural hazards (landslides\, debris flow\, and f
 loods)\, and pedology.
LOCATION:GR A3 32 http://plan.epfl.ch/?room=GR%20A3%2032
STATUS:CONFIRMED
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