The traction effect of lateral roots of Mamraz on soil reinforcement

A traction effect by lateral roots is one way in which roots contribute to lateral in-plane reinforcement of a shallow soil mass. In contrast to the effect of vertically-extending roots, whereby soil is reinforced by an increase in its shear strength, the traction effect reinforces the soil by enhancing the tensile strength of the rooted soil zone. To verify whether or not a traction effect exists in the root system of Mamraz vegetation، north of Iran, and to investigate the magnitude of this effect, a direct in situ test was conducted at a site in the Shanjan rangelands. The results from the site showed that, in the topmost soil (0-20cm), the lateral roots are able to provide a tractive force of up to 167. 4 N (Newtons) over a vertical cross-section area of 20-50 cm2, or an increase in the pulling resistance of the rooted soil by 24. 5%. The test results imply that, together with the Mamraz vertical roots, which anchor the shallow rooted soil zone to the deep and more stable soil mass, the lateral roots of the Mamraz, through their traction effect, are able to mitigate against shallow instability in the rangelands slopes, such as shallow slide and creep, to a certain degree.