Journal of Zhejiang Agricultural Sciences ›› 2026, Vol. 67 ›› Issue (1): 178-183.DOI: 10.16178/j.issn.0528-9017.20240384

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Effect of the influence of Medicago sativa L. root area ratio on slope stability

LIU Chen(), LYU Yi, GAO Xinnan()   

  1. College of Information Management, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu
  • Received:2024-05-13 Online:2026-01-11 Published:2026-01-19
  • Contact: GAO Xinnan

Abstract:

Slope protection projects have attracted much attention in recent years. Ecological slope protection based on herbaceous plants such as Medicago sativa L. has gradually become the first choice for slope protection projects. Based on the collected direct shear test data of Medicago sativa L. roots, the correlation between root area ratio (RAR) and the increase of soil cohesion (Δc/c0) and the increase of internal friction angle (Δφ/φ0) was preliminarily discussed by correlation analysis method. The finite element software PLAXIS 3D was used to simulate the slope, and the variation law of slope safety factor and total displacement under different RAR was studied. The results showed that Medicago sativa L. can increase the cohesive force of the slope and thus effectively reinforce the slope and improve the stability of the slope, and there was an optimal root area ratio of 0.3%. At this time, the root system had the best reinforcement effect on the slope soil. This study can provide reference for ecological soil reinforcement of shallow slope.

Key words: Medicago sativa L., root area ratio, cohesive force, PLAXIS 3D, numerical analysis

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