Why and how are grass roots mechanically effective in resisting static loads and dynamics loads on volcanic soil?

Sinarta, I Nengah and Rifa'i, Ahmad and Windy Candrayana, Kadek (2026) Why and how are grass roots mechanically effective in resisting static loads and dynamics loads on volcanic soil? IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1589 (1). pp. 1-7. ISSN 17551307

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Abstract

Grass vegetation is a sustainable solution to reduce erosion phenomena and increase slope stability. Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) was chosen because it has economic value as animal feed. Elephant grass is an innovative natural technology combined with vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides), which is commonly used as slope stability vegetation. Laboratory testing on volcanic soil in a laboratory model with a slope angle variation of up to 50° showed an increase in FS of 1.1-1.5 and a peak deformation of 37.2 mm. Finite element analysis with the Equivalent cohesion approach and Root as pile approach showed an FS of 0.87 without vegetation and 1.84 with vegetation, an increase of 87%. The dynamic method approach with pseudo static safety factor without vegetation was 0.87, with the addition of elephant grass and vetiver grass vegetation, an increase of 1.55 or an increase of 78%. The combination of elephant grass and vetiver grass roots can increase the shear strength of the soil so that it is suitable for slope retaining construction systems due to static and dynamic loads, because plant roots induce mechanical and hydraulic effects on slope balance, thereby increasing the shear strength of the soil. The interaction of roots and soil is a mechanical condition of reinforcement, while the hydraulic effect is a reduction in water content due to plant transpiration.

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