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Effects of soil–plant-biochar interactions on water retention and slope stability under various rainfall patterns

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Abstract

Due to climate change, extreme rainfalls happen more frequently with different patterns. Biochar and plant roots can affect soil water retention curve (SWRC) and hence slope stability. Until now, no available SWRC model considers soil–plant-biochar interaction, which can also be used for slope stability analysis under extreme rainfalls with different patterns (i.e., advanced, bimodal, and delayed). This study proposes a new SWRC model for vegetated biochar-amended soil by considering the influence of soil–plant-biochar interaction on the void ratio and pore structure. A series of numerical analyses were conducted to investigate the significance of new SWRC model on slope stability under extreme rainfall patterns. Good agreements between laboratory measurements and the new SWRC model predictions were obtained. With an increase of biochar content from 0 to 10%, the number of soil micropores increased by 22%, which improved root volume ratio (Rv) by 130% and hence air entry value (AEV) of vegetated soil by 50%. Based on numerical analysis, the factor of safety (FOS) for vegetated slope under advanced and bimodal rainfall patterns was up to 53% lower than that under the delayed one during rainfall. The rainfall influence depth and FOS of vegetated slope without biochar was nearly 100% deeper and 60% lower than that with biochar, respectively. The lowest FOS was caused by advanced rainfall pattern, which is therefore suggested for slope design. The application of 10% biochar can better stabilize shallow slopes due to its substantial effects on plant root, soil pore structure, and SWRC.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the financial sponsorship from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (U20A20320, 51778166 and 51808171) and the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (2018A030310018) and supports from the area of excellence project (AoE/E-603/18) provided by the Research Grants Council of HKSAR and Environment and Conservation Fund (ECWW19EG01). Mr. Zhang Qi is grateful for the support of the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) provided by the RGC of the HKSAR.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China

    Charles Wang Wai NG, Haowen GUO, Junjun NI & Qi ZHANG

  2. Shenzhen Yanzhi Science and Technology Co. Ltd, Shenzhen, China

    Zhongkui CHEN

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  1. Charles Wang Wai NG
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  2. Haowen GUO
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Correspondence to Haowen GUO.

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NG, C.W.W., GUO, H., NI, J. et al. Effects of soil–plant-biochar interactions on water retention and slope stability under various rainfall patterns. Landslides 19, 1379–1390 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-022-01874-y

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