A novel methodology for modeling the effects of geometrical uncertainties in tree root-soil geometry on tree uprooting

Abstract

Tree root-soil interaction is important for problems such as uprooting of trees subjected to wind loads or the stability of vegetated slopes. This paper examines the stability of laterally loaded trees (e.g., subjected to wind) and introduces a novel methodology for characterizing the uprooting capacity of tree root-soil systems. The novelty of the methodology originates from the coupling between the Space Colonization Algorithm (SCA) for the geometry characterization of the root system with an efficient Finite Element Method(FEM) model. Each tree is unique, and finding a generalized model would need to account for multiple scenarios involving different a priori uncertain tree root geometries and soil types. The proposed methodology allows for the assessment of uncertain root geometries and their effects on the mechanical response of the root-soil system, thanks to the stochastic nature of the SCA. It introduces a competitive growth algorithm that models root branch expansion in the soil as a dynamic and stochastic process. The study captures the mechanical response of a tree root system with a 3D FEM model by using an elastoplastic mechanical model for the soil, while the roots are modeled with elastoplastic embedded beams. The proposed model enables the identification of the locations of root breakage and soil failure paths in multiple scenarios. Model outputs allow quantitative investigation into the relationship between root system geometry and the root-soil system uprooting capacity and base stiffness.

Keywords

Tree roots / Root-soil interaction / Uprooting / Space colonization algorithm / Embedded beam

CRediT authorship contribution statement

Mahtab Shiravi: Writing - review & editing, Writing - original draft, Visualization, Methodology, Formal analysis, Conceptualization. Ivan Depina: Writing - review & editing, Supervision, Methodology, Conceptualization. Marco Uzielli: Writing - review & editing, Methodology, Conceptualization. Gianni Bartoli: Writing - review & editing, Supervision, Project administration, Methodology, Conceptualization.

Declaration of Competing Interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Acknowledgment

The research presented in this paper was conducted as part of the RETURN project (“Multi-risk analysis for trees in urban environments”). This project is financed through the European Union's Next Generation EU initiative under PNRR Italian National funding Grant ID: B83C22004820002 (2022-2025).

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