Root reinforcement to stabilize slopes

Abstract

This study describes the effects of grass reinforced slopes. Centrifuge tests were performed on sandy slopes of 55∘ with a void ratio (e) of 0.9 (loose conditions) and a initial water content of 11.5%. Three different types of grasses were used as a root reinforcement, namely Lolium perenne, Hordeum vulgare and Festuca arundinacea. Centrifuge tests show that for slopes that are reinforced the period until failure is extended. The Hordeum vulgare reinforced slope performed best as no failure took place, likely this was due to the root system of Hordeum vulgare that developed more extensively compared to the other grasses.