This book, the first of a pair of volumes on bioengineering techniques, shows how vegetation can be used for the engineering and ecological enhancement of earth structures. Vegetation provides protection and stabilisation of both natural and manmade slopes along transportation routes (such as motorways) and for industrial, housing and leisure facilities.
The first comprehensive, practical guide to the selection,construction, and installation of soil bioengineering andbiotechnical slope protection Here is the ultimate guide to physically attractive,environmentally compatible, and cost-effective methods ofprotecting slopes from erosion and mass wasting. Lavishlyillustrated with more than 150 photographs and supplemented withscores of charts and tables, this book covers the entire subjectfrom general principles and background on the nature of soilerosion and mass movement to detailed information on rootstrengths, treatment selection, unit costs, critical tractivestresses, methods for harvesting and handling live cuttings, andmore. Four illustrated case studies, each addressing a different set ofproblems and solutions, demonstrate both the application ofparticular technologies and the site investigation, planning,scheduling, and organization required to complete these projectssuccessfully. This unique reference handbook * Reviews the horticultural and engineering underpinnings forbiotechnical and soil engineering treatments * Documents and explains the role of woody plants in stabilizingslopes against both surficial erosion and mass movement * Provides details on a broad range of soil bioengineering methods,including live staking, live fascines, brushlayering, live cribwalls, branchpacking, and live slope gratings * Describes various biotechnical methods and materials, includingthe incorporation of vegetation in erosion control blankets,flexible mats, cellular revetments (geocells), rock armor (riprap), and gabion and open-front crib walls * Summarizes the findings of the National ScienceFoundation-sponsored workshop to assess the state of the art anddetermine research needs For practicing professionals, researchers, and students ingeotechnical engineering, geology, soil science, forestry andforest engineering, landscape architecture, environmentalhorticulture, and restoration ecology, this book offers thorough,up-to-date coverage that is not available from any other singlesource.
Water and ground bioengineering techniques combine the expertise of civil engineers, landscape architects, botanists and ecologists, and increasingly are being used to protect and restore the natural environment. This practical handbook shows how vegetation can be used for the protection, stabilisation and ecological enhancement of riverbanks and shores. It covers a range of techniques from wholly vegetative 'soft' techniques to 'semi-hard' or composite structures with vegetative inclusions. A chapter on bioengineering techniques in earth dam and floodbank construction is also included. Together with its companion book, Ground Bioengineering Techniques, this handbook on water bioengineering provides a rare opportunity to gain insight into the approach of its chief proponents--Professor H.M. Schiechtl and his colleague, Dr R. Stern--in the use of vegetation for the engineering and ecological and visual enhancement of waterways and shorelines. Water Bioengineering Techniques will be of interest to geotechnical engineers, botanists, ecologists and to those concerned with landscape planning, land and catchment management.
The need for effective measures to protect soil and water resources has risen dramatically. This volume focuses on bioengineering technology that utilizes vetetative and vegetative-structural solutions to prevent erosion and stabilize sites disturbed by infrastructure and development.
"Bio-Stabilization Case Studies: Treatment and Performance Evaluation" describes and evaluates 30 projects from across the United States where bio-stabilization was employed to address a detrimental naturally occurring process or byproduct of the built environment. Bio-stabilization (or soil bioengineering) refers to the use of plant materials, primarily live cuttings, arranged in the ground in different arrays to reinforce soils and protect upland slopes and/or stream banks against surficial erosion and shallow slope failures. Examples included in the collection represent different regions of the country and their specific conditions and challenges. Each project is illustrated with a number of distinctive photographs to support the reader's understanding and showcase the wide scope of projects and techniques presented. The volume is ideal for civil and environmental engineers and environmental scientists working on watershed, infrastructure projects, and municipal scale installations.
The first book of its kind, providing over thirty real-life case studies of ground improvement projects selected by the worlds top experts in ground improvement from around the globe. Volume 3 of the highly regarded Elsevier Geo-engineering book series coordinated by the Series Editor: Professor John A Hudson FREng. An extremely reader friendly chapter format. Discusses wider economical and environmental issues facing scientists in the ground improvement. Ground improvement has been both a science and art, with significant developments observed through ancient history. From the use of straw as blended infill with soils for additional strength during the ancient Roman civilizations, and the use of elephants for compaction of earth dams during the early Asian civilizations, the concepts of reinforced earth with geosynthetics, use of electrokinetics and thermal modifications of soils have come a long way. The use of large and stiff stone columns and subsequent sand drains in the past has now been replaced by quicker to install and more effective prefabricated vertical drains, which have also eliminated the need for more expensive soil improvement methods.The early selection and application of the most appropriate ground improvement techniques can improve considerably not only the design and performance of foundations and earth structures, including embankments, cut slopes, roads, railways and tailings dams, but also result in their cost-effectiveness. Ground improvement works have become increasingly challenging when more and more problematic soils and marginal land have to be utilized for infrastructure development.This edited compilation contains a collection of Chapters from invited experts in various areas of ground improvement, who have illustrated the basic concepts and the applications of different ground improvement techniques using real projects that they have been involved in. The case histories from many countries ranging from Asia, America, Australia and Europe are addressed.
This groundbreaking work connects the knowledge of system function developed in ecosystem ecology with landscape ecology's knowledge of spatial structure. The book elucidates the challenges faced by ecosystem scientists working in spatially heterogeneous systems, relevant conceptual approaches used in other disciplines and in different ecosystem types, and the importance of spatial heterogeneity in conservation resource management.
The idea of information on research and development carried out on bamboo has emerged with the paradigm shift in the area of utilization of natural fibres in various industries. Technological advancements in bamboo sustenance have involved chemical and physical modification that has led to products of high-performance index. This book provides the latest research developments in many aspects of bamboo process, manufacture and commercialization potential. Apart from the interest to facilitate a complete assessment of bamboo as well as assist readers in achieving their goals, this book is intended to be of value to both fundamental research and also to practicing scientists and will serve as a useful reference for researchers, agricultural practitioners and organizations involved in the bamboo-based industry.
This volume brings together papers from geotechnical and civil engineers, biologists, ecologists and foresters. They discuss current problems in slope stability research and how to address them using ground bio- and eco-engineering techniques. Coverage presents studies by scientists and practitioners on slope instability, erosion, soil hydrology, mountain ecology, land use and restoration and how to mitigate these problems using vegetation.
