Implementation of a coupled hydro-mechanical model for root-reinforced soils in finite element code

摘要

We have developed a coupled hydro-mechanical model for the effect of plant roots on the mechanical and hydrological behaviour of soil (witala et al., 2018). This paper presents details on the implementation of the numerical model, considering the influence of plants on the strength and deformation of soil. The constitutive model is based on a Cam-clay model for unsaturated soils. The expansion of the yield surface is assumed to depend on both the soil suction and the reinforcement by plant roots. The constitutive model is implemented in a finite element code and its performance is demonstrated in a series of numerical examples.