Determining Biomechanical Properties of Poplar (Populus nigra) for Soil Bioengineering Purposes

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Professor, Department of Forestry, University of Tehran, Karaj, I.R. Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Forestry, University of Tehran, Karaj, I.R. Iran

3 MS of Forestry, Department of Forestry, Tabiat Modares University, Noor, I.R. Iran

4 Department of Forestry, University of Tehran, Karaj, I.R. Iran

Abstract

The aim of this work was to assess the characteristics of Poplar root system.Root Area Ratio (RAR) values were obtained using profile trenching method. First a starting point along the row of trees was randomly selected. Then a ten meters contiguous profile was dug along the row of trees and roots on both trenches (At a distance of 0.5 and 1.0 meter from the trunks) were measured.RAR values of roots were obtained at depth increments of 0.1 m. Also 30 root specimens were analyzed for tensile strength.The results indicated that RAR declined mostly in depth and distance from the stems. This decrease approximated a power function. In most cases the maximum RAR values are located within the first layers, with maximum rooting depth at about 1.0 m. The minimum and maximum RAR values along the profiles were 0.004% and 0.534% for nearer and 0.001% and 0.314% for farther trenches to stem respectively. The results of traction tests revealed that a positive power function existed between tensile force and root diameter. The mean root tensile strength and diameter were 19.92 ± 4.12 MPa and 1.51 ± 0.95 mm respectively. The root tensile strength values showed that root strength decreases with diameter following a power law equation. The data presented in this study expand the knowledge on most important biotechnical properties of Poplar growing in Iran.

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