A Mohr-Coulomb-Vilar model for constitutive relationship in root-soil interface under changing suction

Understanding mechanical interactions at the root-soil interface is essential to predict erosion of vegetated slopes. Recently, shear strength vegetatedil under changing hydraulic conditions has been measured and modeled; however, interfaces have not investigated conditions. This paper proposes (1) a novel pullout apparatus measure suction, (2) Mohr-Coulomb-Vilar (MCV) model interfaces, (3) numerical simulation using Node-To-Segment (NTS) approach along with Finite Element Method (FEM). The tests were verified simulation, results showed that combination MCV NTS/FEM can accurately behavior suction. In addition, we experimentally evaluated problem roots present method provides reasonably predicts root-pullout problems even when suction changed during process. current method, therefore, be used for predicting dynamics varying soil pressure by only adding two additional parameters Vilar model.