Influence of Tea Plant Roots for Soil Slope Strengthening: Case Studies and Numerical Investigation

The collapse of slopes is generally observed whenever the delicate balance of nature is disturbed by internal or external influences. Slopes susceptible to landslides can be stabilized by vegetation, as the resistance of the soil to shear stresses is significantly increased. This study addresses the use of tea roots to improve the stability of soil slopes. In addition, the effectiveness of slopes with existing vegetation (especially tea roots) was compared to slopes without reinforcement. The tea roots are intended to serve as organic anchors that reduce erosion and the possibility of slope failure. Samples of the soil and tea roots were collected and analyzed. These samples were subjected to various tests to evaluate their mechanical and index properties. According to the tensile stress results, a significant increase is observed as the diameter of the tea root increases. The interaction between the roots and the soil seems to improve the shear strength of the soil, which could increase the stability of the slope. The behavior of soil slopes with and without tea root reinforcement was simulated using numerical analysis. The results show a significant improvement in the factor of safety when tea roots are integrated.