EFFECT OF VEGETATION ON STABILITY OF SLOPES
S,Anaswara1 , R.Shivashankar2 ABSTRACT
Vegetation on slopes influences the stability of the slopes. Vegetation is multifunctional, relatively inexpensive, visually attractive and does not require heavy or elaborate equipment for its installation. The stability of the slope is increased by vegetation in terms of mechanical and hydrological mechanisms. Very few studies are available on contribution of vegetation on slopes to the stability of slopes. Vegetation help to delay 'mass wasting' (or landslides) on hill side slopes. Slope engineering these days, in addition to geotechnical engineering and hydrology, is also encompassing 'Bioengineering', ‘Biotechnical Engineering' and 'Geosynthetics Engineering'.
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The stability of the slope is increased by vegetation in terms of mechanical and hydrological mechanisms. Vegetation help to delay 'mass wasting' (or landslides) on hill side slopes. Slope engineering these days, in addition to geotechnical engineering and hydrology, is also encompassing ‘Bioengineering’, ‘Biotechnical Engineering' and 'Geosynthetics Engineering'. Bio-engineering or biotechnical engineering involves the handling and manipulation of living components to produce useful …show more content…
FOS was computed by using the ‘c-φ reduction’ procedure. According to PLAXIS, this approach involves in successively reducing the soil strength parameters c’ and tanφ’ until the failure occurs. The strength parameters are automatically reduced until the final calculation step results in a fully developed failure mechanism. In other words we can say by lowering the strength incrementally, a soil body is identified to fail after a certain strength reduction. In this way, PLAXIS computes the FOS as the ratio of the available shear strength to the strength at failure by summing up the incremental multiplier (Msf) as defined
One of the most visible and mutual environmental impacts of ski areas on the environment is deforestation and grading of slopes. In order to service a multitude of winter sport enthusiast, mountain slopes must be cleared of dense forest in order to make way for ski runs and lifts. With the ski industry in the US showing steady numbers (Satistica) resorts have to come up with new attractions to keep past patrons and attract new customers. One of the ways that they do this is by opening up new terrain, which increases the amount of deforestation damaging the local vegetation. Ski resorts essentially have two options in creating new terrain. First clearing runs by removing trees and other woody vegetation, leaving the topsoil and seed bank intact or by grading slopes by using bulldozers to remove any abnormalities. The second method is preferred as it is faster and more efficient and allows for the slope to be opened earlier with less snow pact.(USA) The impacts of grading slopes by bulldozing destroy the vegetation, reduce the topsoil and greatly contribute to erosion. The removal of woody vegetation can also lead to a drastic change in the local vegetation in order to keep the trails clear it requires constant trimming of the new growth of unwanted vegetation that can help anchor topsoil in place and provide better growing conditions for other plants. The destructive method of bulldozing runs not only leads to environmental degradation but also can be counter productive. According to a UC Davis study, while clearing slopes of vegetation and irregularities by bulldozer might result in opening earlier than other resorts the increase in maintenance, will likely offset any monetary gains (USA).
The processes required for mountaintop removal include clear cutting, blasting, digging, waste dumping, processing of coal, and reclamation. Taken individually, each of these elements of mountaintop removal constitutes serious environmental harm. When considered in aggregate, the steps of mountaintop removal coalesce into a process that does irreparable damage to ecosystems and residential communities. Old-growth forests are clear-cut, killing wildlife and damaging the natural landscape. Ridges are blasted as little as 300 feet from homes and neighborhoods, frequently cracking wells and foundations. Digging machines, called draglines, are brought in, replacing the natural landscape with machines up to 22 stories tall. The removed rock and soil, dysphemistically called “spoil” or “overburden” by coal companies, is dumped into valleys, burying streams and further harming remaining wildlife. Mined coal is processed on-site, creating leaking ponds of sludge or slurry that further damage the water table.
How does the vegetation surface type affect the amount of runoff? Speculate why this happens.
Engineers, scientists, and/or volunteers place brush, roots, trees and other plants to cover banks. This helps to stop erosion by reversing loose soil. Hard structures like rock or cement are sometimes used too. Some pros is that there is a high chance of success and there is a recovery of streamside habitat. The recovery of streamside habitat occurs because animals use plants as shade and hiding places from predators, the plants affect dissolved oxygen levels, and because herbivores may eat/live in the plants (hollows of trees, fungi and roots). Some cons of this natural solution is loss of existing vegetation and results take time.
Compaction is a densification of the soil which reduces its biological activity, permeability, porosity, and water holding capacity, while at the same time increasing the risk of erosion due to accelerated run-off (13). While some soils are naturally compacted, mechanical pressure (i.e. heavy machinery) can compact soil (13). Erosion is a natural process which is actually essential in the soil formation process, but human activities have accelerated it (7). During erosion soil particles of the fertile topsoil are removed either by wind or water (i.e. runoff), this process is irreversible and can lead to the reduction of soil productivity (7).
You’re hosting a party, and it’s cold outside. You’re worried about your guests feeling cozy, especially as they walk up to your front door, so you ask your daughter to help you make lanterns out of tea lights and white paper bags. When the makeshift lanterns are complete, you both place them next to your stone walkway—which looks gorgeous next to each golden light. When your guests make their way to your front door, they tell you how beautiful your walkway looks, and you feel grateful.
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Many homeowners mistakenly ignore their lawns during the winter. Since winters are notoriously cold, many homeowners prefer to leave the heavy lifting until spring. People who have this mindset are mistaken. Winter is the perfect season to map out your landscaping, including items planning planting beds, deciding on stones to incorporate, and determining the best waterfall design in Woodstock. However, you must prepare your lawn by doing the basics and getting it ready for winter.
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used to mark the region of the valley to the end of each slope. We
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The world we live in today is always changing, whether it be technology or the land. As these changes take place, society must adapt to them. Many things begin to change as a result of this and society beings to turn into something completely different. One of the most overlooked changes that takes place is that of the environment and landscape. The landscape is one of the most important parts of our society’s culture and has a great effect on how we live. It seems that nowadays, many individuals are taking advantage of the land and nothing appreciating it for every thing that it is worth. Its true that not everyone is going to look at the environment and landscape in the same way, however that is no excuse to disrespect it. Then again, a whole new argument can start from that, as different individuals are going to have different views on what disrespecting the land. Many positive things have come from taking advantage of the land, and also, there have been many negative things to come as a result of this. It all depends on how you look at it. One thing is for sure though, no matter what the case is, the land and environment we live in plays a huge part in each of our everyday lives.
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