Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/S43962/01
Title:	A fundamental geotechnical study of how plant roots increase slope stability
Principal Investigator:	Bransby, Dr MF
Other Investigators:	Davies, Professor MCR
Researcher Co-Investigators:	Professor AG Bengough Dr P Hallett
Project Partners:	Atkins Design Environment & Engineering Highways Agency MACCAFERRI Ltd Network Rail Scottish Crop Research Institute (The) Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) Ltd
Department:	Civil Engineering
Organisation:	University of Dundee
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	28 May 2004	Ends:	27 August 2007	Value (£):	293,386
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Ground Engineering
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Construction
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Summary on Grant Application Form
The research will provide a fundamental understanding of how roots interact with soil to stabilise slopes, quantify the impact of root reinforcement on slope failure experimentally, and therefore determine which root system structures are most beneficial for slope stabilisation. This will enable environmentally friendly technologies for slope stabilisation by vegetation through cross-disciplinary research that links plant root biomechanical properties with modelled slope behaviour. The aims will be facilitated with a cross-disciplinary research team, with geotechnical engineering knowledge about slope reinforcement and centrifuge modelling at the University of Dundee and expertise in plant science and soil biophysics at the SCRI.By testing model slopes at small scale (but at the correct stress levels), slopes will be brought to ultimate limit (i.e. failure ) and serviceability limit conditions so that the exact reinforcing effect of vegetation can be quantified. The creation of reduced-scale root analogues will allow different root architectures to be investigated sequentially to assess their importance. This will allow generic, repeatable testing to be carried out, isolating mechanical stabilisation from evapotranspiration effects, thereby allowing refinement of quantitative methods for making recommendations for the design of root stabilised slopes. The work will also provide an experimental basis for future studies and the selection of plant varieties for slope stabilisation.
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Organisation Website:	http://www.dundee.ac.uk