Use of Vegetation in Civil Engineering

About this book

This guide gives the background to bioengineering and practical information on the design and implementation of vegetative methods for slope stabilisation, water erosion control, watercourse and shoreline protection, wind erosion control, shelter, noise reduction, surface protection and trafficability.

This is a re-issue of CIRIA Book 10 and not a new edition; it was originally published in 1990.

Contents

Contents
Acknowledgements
Glossary
Notation

1 Introduction
1.1 Background
1.2 Structure of the guide

2 Basic aspects of vegetation
2.1 Plant form and structure
Trees Shrubs Grass Herbs Root systems Seasonal growth pattern
2.2 Vegetation and plant communities
Community structure Vegetation structure Succession Plant strategies and competition
2.3 Basic requirements of plants
2.4 Plants and soil
Physical properties of soil Soils and water Chemical properties of soil Soil horizons Soil potential
2.5 Plants and climate
2.6 Plant propagation
Seeding Planting
2.7 Reliability and variation
Natural cycles Damage

3 Physical effects of vegetation
3.1 Role of vegetation
3.2 Modification of surface water regime
Rainfall interception Surface water runoff Infiltration Subsurface drainage
3.3 Surface protection
Raindrop impact Surface water erosion Mechanical role Soil insulation Soil restraint
3.4 Modification of soil water properties
Evapotranspiration Soil moisture balance Soil moisture depletion Soil weight reduction Soil cracking
3.5 Modification of soil mechanical properties
Root reinforcement of soil Anchorage
arching and buttressing Surface mat effect Surcharge Wind loading Root wedging
3.6 Soil strength
3.7 Modification of airflow
Effect of vegetation on wind velocity Noise attenuation
3.8 Structural combinations
Geotextiles Other structural materials
3.9 Summary of salient properties and functions of vegetation

4 Vegetation selection, establishment and management
4.1 Plant selection
Bioengineering properties and function Site conditions and environment Plant communities and mixtures Methods of propagation Ecotypes and cultivars
4.2 Site preparation
Selection of soil materials Soil handling and spreading Slope contouring and grading Deep cultivation Final surface preparation Soil improvement Establishment aids and erosion control
4.3 Seeding
Drilling Broadcasting Hydroseeding (hydraulic seeding) Mulchseeding Seed mats Spot seeding Modifying existing swards Seeding trees and shrubs Specifying and buying seeds
4.4 Turfing
Sources of turf Installation procedure
4.5 Planting
Site preparation Specifying and buying plants Planting methods Planting techniques for special situations Plant spacing Willow cuttings Sprigs and grass shoots Reeds and sedges Aftercare
4.6 Quality control and troubleshooting
Seeding Planting Growth and performance
4.7 Vegetation management
Management programmes Managing grass and herbaceous swards Managing seeded trees and shrubs Managing planted trees
4.8 Timing of operations
Soil handling and cultivation Seeding and turfing Planting Aftercare and management
4.9 Safe working methods on slopes
Methods
management and vegetation type Agricultural experience Construction equipment

5 Method of approach and implementation
5.1 Strategy
5.2 Sources of expertise and advice
Professional advice Implementation
5.3 Site appraisal
5.4 Design and specification
Design Specifications Construction programme
5.5 Contractual arrangements
Options Forms of contract
5.6 Comparing costs

6 Applications - theory and practice
6.1 Rationale
6.2 Slope stabilization
Types of slope instability The effects of vegetation Stabilisation of soil slopes Stabilisation of cliffs and rockfaces Quantification of the effects of vegetation on slope stability Slope stability analysis Time dependency in slope stability: role of vegetation Choice of vegetation Composite structures for slope stabilisation Costs
6.3 Water erosion control
The problem Erosion risk assessment Control of erosion by rainfall and overland flow Gully erosion control
6.4 Watercourse and shoreline protection
Approaches Watercourses: continuous flow Waterways: discontinuous flow Large water bodies
6.5 Wind erosion control
The problem Wind erosion risk assessment Use of vegetative cover Within-site shelter Boundary shelter Sand dune stabilization
6.6 Vegetation barriers
Shelter from wind Planting for noise reduction
6.7 Surface protection and trafficability
Damage to soils and vegetation by traffic Species that tolerate wear Techniques to increase wear resistance Footpaths Car parks and vehicular access areas Country parks
campsites
around buildings
6.8 Control of runoff in small catchments
6.9 Plants as indicators

Bibliography and references

Appendices
A1 Plants with good bioengineering properties suitable for use in the UK
Plants for soil stabilisation
surface protection and erosion control Grass-based seed mixtures Trees and shrubs for barriers and general use
A2 Geotextiles used in bioengineering
A3 Relevant British Standards and West German DIN standards
British Standards West German Standards
A4 Sources of independent advice and information

Customer Reviews