Abstract
This study examines the effect of root systems on the stability of loess slopes in Ji County, Shanxi, by utilizing theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, and experiments. Centering on the material properties of roots and soil, characteristic conditions, and soil parameters, the research tests Pinus tabulaeformis, Robinia pseudoacacia, and Platycladus orientalis. Asymptotic homogenization theory is employed to determine the material parameters of the root-soil composite and to investigate the impacts of different root morphologies on mechanical properties. Numerical simulations of slope behavior under different boundary conditions evaluate the effect on comparable plastic strain. The findings highlight the stabilizing impact of root systems on slopes, approved by triaxial tests on the root-soil composite, which confirm the exactness of the proposed hypothesis. The study underscores the advantages of the homogenization model, such as simplicity and efficiency, and emphasizes the significance of reasonable boundary conditions in large-scale slope simulations. Symmetric boundary conditions are especially suitable for these simulations. Vegetation roots improve the stress field of shallow slope soil, making shear stress more uniform and enhancing slope stability. The small error between the theoretical model and test results illustrates the model's precision, offering valuable insights into the part of vegetation roots in improving slope stability.