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PRODID:-//Memento EPFL//
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SUMMARY:Tensile strength of grass species roots and shear strength of root
 ed blocks
DTSTART:20090330T161500
DTSTAMP:20260916T050617Z
UID:8ba25eb3bd43b7ccefa0999844f5d726e22540baa6bf358129992d3c
CATEGORIES:Conferences - Seminars
DESCRIPTION:Prof. Elena Comino\, Politecnico di Torino\, Italy\nThe presen
 ce of vegetation is known to increase hill slope stability and to reduce s
 oil erosion\, both by reinforcing soil shear resistance and influencing hy
 drologic conditions of soil. This fact has been shown through studies and 
 researches based on survey of failure because of deforestation\, on in sit
 u or in laboratory shear tests of soil blocks with roots\, on in laborator
 y root tensile strength tests. \nThe importance of plant root systems for 
 hill slope stability has received attention in the last years\, including 
 the quantification of this contribution\, in particular the effect of gras
 s roots. \nIn the lecture\, after a short review on plant mechanical prope
 rties will be presented data gathered through a research developed in the 
 last year. Some grass species widespread in the Alpine environment have be
 en tested for their mechanical properties: Medicago sativa (Leguminosae)\,
  Trifolium pratense (Leguminosae)\, Lotus corniculatus (Leguminosae)\, com
 mercial grass mix (leguminous and graminaceous plants)\, Festuca pratensis
  (Gramineae)\, and Lolium perenne (Gramineae). Their effect can be conside
 rable only when the slide is superficial\; otherwise their action can only
  advance and complete that of arboreal species. Results show a remarkable 
 difference among the various species and the soils without roots\, and a c
 ommon state for the same species.
LOCATION:GR B30
STATUS:CONFIRMED
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