Anchorage and stability of tree root-soil plates

This study explored the use of root cross-section dimensions, root distribution, uplifted root/soil volume, greenwood modulus of rupture and soil/greenwood densities in a biomechanical close form model based on past literature to estimate the resistance to uprooting of tree root-soil plates. This study used data obtained from a tree-pulling exercise involving 20 planted Samanea saman, a common species of planted wayside trees in Singapore. The trees were individually pulled to failure by uprooting. The failure load, root cross-section dimensions and uplifted root/soil volumes of each individual pulled tree were recorded. The results calculated using the hypothesised close form model showed a good match with data from the tree-pulling exercise. This close form model provides a better understanding of the stability of shallow-rooted trees with root-soil plates.