Small-scale modelling of root-soil interaction of trees under lateral loads

Journal article

A new three-axis loading frame has been developed to enable real-time visualization of in-situ soil and rock structure interactions via X-ray tomography during small-scale model testing. The constructed frame is capable of performing a wide range of small-scale 1g tests and can accommodate monotonic and cyclic actuation under both load and displacement control. The compact size of the system enables remote multi-axis operation from within an X-ray cone-beam scanning bay, a capability which is owed to a comprehensive design process. Design and fabrication involved a blend of physical and numerical experiments to assess suitable construction materials and performance. In this scope, the new equipment is discussed and its capability is showcased

Authors: Zhang, X; Knappett, JA; Leung, AK; Ciantia, MO; Liang, T

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Springer
• Journal: Plant and Soil
• Volume: 456
• Issue: 1-2
• Pages: 289-305
• Publication date: 2020-09-18
• DOI: 10.1007/s11104-020-04636-8
• EISSN: 1573-5036
• ISSN: 0032-079X
• Language: English
• Keywords: Mathematics; Soil science; Physics; Geotechnical engineering; Scaling law; Moment (physics); Soil water; Scaling; Centrifuge; Geometry; Environmental science; Root (linguistics); Geology; Tree (set theory)