How roots reinforce soil and enhance slope stability
Event details
| Date | 25.03.2014 |
| Hour | 16:15 › 17:15 |
| Speaker | Dr Massimiliano Schwarz, School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (HAFL), Bern University of Applied Sciences CH |
| Location | |
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
Abstract:
The quantification of root reinforcement represents a key issue in different area of engineering (slope stability, soil protection, silviculture/tree stability, hydraulic). Between all the effects of plants on the physical and chemical soil processes (direct and indirect), the mechanical effect of roots is considered particularly important for slope stability. The study of root reinforcement is faced with the high complexity of interactions of processes and factors at different spatial-temporal scales. In particular, the hierarchical spatial heterogeneity of vegetation and its effects on soil processes represents a big challenge for quantitative up-scaling methods. The objective of this seminar is to contextualize the complexity of the root-soil interactions in view of slope stability problems, to review the recent scientific contributions in the quantification of root reinforcement, and to discuss the practical meaning of recent research results.
The presentation follows the central theme of an up-scaling framework for the implementation of root reinforcement in slope stability analysis, discussing specific topics such as pullout force of single roots, root bundle mechanics, spatial heterogeneity of root distribution, and triggering 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 performed with the SOSlope model serve as background for the discussion on the role of root reinforcement for protection forests management and bioengineering applications.
Short biography:
With a master thesis on bioengineering at the SLF in Davos, Massimiliano Schwarz graduated in Forest engineering 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 WSL on the "Hydro-mechanical characterization of rooted hillslope failure: from field investigations to fiber bundle modeling", associated to the doctoral schools at both EPFL and ETHZ.
In 2010, Dr Schwarz started a part-time activity as lecturer and scientific collaborator at the Bern University of Applied Sciences, and as a visiting scientific at the WSL.
His professional interest is oriented on different issues related to landscape and resources management in mountain regions. In particular, his research focuses on the quantification of the interaction between vegetation and hydro-mechanical processes at different temporal and spatial scales. His teaching activity at the University of Applied Sciences in Bern covers the topics of bioengineering, natural hazards (landslides, debris flow, and floods), and pedology.
The quantification of root reinforcement represents a key issue in different area of engineering (slope stability, soil protection, silviculture/tree stability, hydraulic). Between all the effects of plants on the physical and chemical soil processes (direct and indirect), the mechanical effect of roots is considered particularly important for slope stability. The study of root reinforcement is faced with the high complexity of interactions of processes and factors at different spatial-temporal scales. In particular, the hierarchical spatial heterogeneity of vegetation and its effects on soil processes represents a big challenge for quantitative up-scaling methods. The objective of this seminar is to contextualize the complexity of the root-soil interactions in view of slope stability problems, to review the recent scientific contributions in the quantification of root reinforcement, and to discuss the practical meaning of recent research results.
The presentation follows the central theme of an up-scaling framework for the implementation of root reinforcement in slope stability analysis, discussing specific topics such as pullout force of single roots, root bundle mechanics, spatial heterogeneity of root distribution, and triggering 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 performed with the SOSlope model serve as background for the discussion on the role of root reinforcement for protection forests management and bioengineering applications.
Short biography:
With a master thesis on bioengineering at the SLF in Davos, Massimiliano Schwarz graduated in Forest engineering 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 WSL on the "Hydro-mechanical characterization of rooted hillslope failure: from field investigations to fiber bundle modeling", associated to the doctoral schools at both EPFL and ETHZ.
In 2010, Dr Schwarz started a part-time activity as lecturer and scientific collaborator at the Bern University of Applied Sciences, and as a visiting scientific at the WSL.
His professional interest is oriented on different issues related to landscape and resources management in mountain regions. In particular, his research focuses on the quantification of the interaction between vegetation and hydro-mechanical processes at different temporal and spatial scales. His teaching activity at the University of Applied Sciences in Bern covers the topics of bioengineering, natural hazards (landslides, debris flow, and floods), and pedology.
Practical information
- General public
- Free
- This event is internal
Organizer
- EESS - IIE
Contact
- Prof. Paolo Perona, AHEAD