Bio-engineering for land stabilization
By: Patrick J. Fox, T.H. Wu, Brian Trenner
Contributors: Wu, Tien H.; Trenner, Brian; Ohio. Department of Transportation; Ohio State University. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Geodetic Science; United States. Federal Highway Administration
Publisher: Ohio Dept. of Transportation
Published: 2010
Place of publication: Columbus, Ohio
Language: eng
Number of pages: 480
Subjects: Stability; Bioengineering; Slopes (Soil mechanics); Soil stabilization
Description: As part of the Ohio Department of Transportation's (ODOT's) ongoing effort to solve engineering problems for the Ohio transportation system through research, The Ohio State University has undertaken a study entitled "Bioengineering for Land Stabilization" under the direction of Professor Patrick J. Fox and Professor Emeritus T. H. Wu. A large number of slopes and embankments throughout Ohio are experiencing shallow slope failures and/or erosion problems. The aim of this study is to identify bioengineering methods to address ODOT's slope stabilization needs in response to these occurrences. Bioengineering is an ecologically, and often economically, attractive alternative to conventional slope stabilization techniques. The objectives of this research are: 1) to identify important factors that control success or failure of bioengineering methods, 2) to develop installation techniques and designs for successful application of bioengineering methods, and 3) to provide thorough documentation to aid in the development of future design guides for bioengineering work for ODOT. Three field installations were conducted and monitored at demonstration sites located in Muskingum, Logan and Union Counties. Results indicate that biostabilization methods can be effective for the stabilization of shallow (less than 3 - 4 ft.) slides if vegetation can be established. Establishment of vegetation is dependent on local soil and climate conditions, especially during the first growing season after installation. The use of instrumentation (tensiometers, piezometers) can be effective in predicting vegetation survivability. Side-by-side panel comparisons indicated that varying installation techniques do not affect the survivability of live willow poles. The cost of bioengineering stabilization, if properly planned and implemented, is expected to be approximately 25% less than that of conventional methods.
Notes: Performed by Ohio State University, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Geodetic Science.

"June, 2010."

"FHWA/OH-2010/5"--Technical rept. documentation p.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 230-233).

Final report.

Also available online.

Sponsored by the Ohio Dept. of Transportation in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration under State job no. 134169