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Physical Modeling of Vegetated Slopes to Investigate Unsaturated Flow Regimes and Slope Stability under Varying Inclination Angles

Khoshouei Esfahani, Samin Sadat | 2025

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  1. Type of Document: M.Sc. Thesis
  2. Language: Farsi
  3. Document No: 58372 (09)
  4. University: Sharif University of Technology
  5. Department: Civil Engineering
  6. Advisor(s): Sadeghi, Hamed
  7. Abstract:
  8. Rainfall is one of the primary factors contributing to slope instability, as it alters the hydraulic and mechanical properties of soil. Infiltration reduces matric suction, thereby decreasing shear strength and increasing the possibility of rainfall-induced landslides. Vegetation influences slope stability through both hydrological and mechanical reinforcement mechanisms by modifying suction and enhancing cohesion. Consequently, the stability of rainfall-triggered slopes depends on multiple factors, including initial slope conditions, rainfall intensity and duration, soil type, groundwater conditions, slope geometry, and vegetation cover. Root absorbed water reduces soil moisture and increases suction, while the mechanical presence of roots improves soil cohesion. In this research, the effect of Vetiver grass on the hydro-mechanical response of soil slopes under various inclinations and rainfall intensities was investigated using a fully instrumented large-scale physical model. The model was equipped with TDR sensors and tensiometers to monitor suction and volumetric water content throughout the slope. Results showed that vegetation not only enhanced soil strength but also altered the soil–water retention curve by increasing air-entry value and intensifying hysteresis at deeper layers. Moisture distribution patterns inverted with increasing depth and time. Under steeper slopes, infiltration decreased upslope and increased downslope due to lateral flow and root positioning. Runoff and erosion measurements indicated that although runoff increased with slope angle, the presence of roots significantly reduced cumulative erosion. Stability analysis using measured strength parameters confirmed that vegetated slopes remained stable even at 60° inclination. These findings emphasize the critical role of Vetiver in enhancing slope resistance and regulating subsurface flow regimes under rainfall conditions
  9. Keywords:
  10. Vegetation ; Landslide ; Unsaturated Flow ; Physical Model ; Slope Stability ; Soil Erosion ; Slope Instability

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