Bioengineering and Hydromechanics of Flora in Stabilization of Slopes

Abstract

This paper focusses on the hydromechanics of flora in the stabilization of soils. Slopes in rocks and soils are founding in physical and manmade conditions. Stockpiles, canals, levee, dams and highways are structured through the slopping of lateral faces in soils since a slope is typically cost effective compared to structuring walls. Physical forces e.g. water and winds transform the earth’s topography and other planets, typically forming unstabilized slopes. Flora is considered one of the initiatives considered in the control and prevention of landslides that are shallow and ones occurring during rainy seasons. Vegetation application for the stabilization of slopes is identified as soil bioengineering. Knowledge of flora contribution, in this paper, will be reflected on a case area of Kedah (Northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia). The aspect of bioengineering i.e. mechanical and hydrological aspects will be applied. The effects of hydromechanical of flora on the stability of slopes are to minimize the content of soil water through evapotranspiration, interception and transpiration. Mechanical implication of flora on slope stabilization is to stabilize slopes to reinforce it mechanically.