The influence of tree root water uptake on the long term hydrology of a clay fill railway embankment

• Published in: Transportation Geotechnics 2016-12, Vol.9, p.31-48
• Main Authors: Briggs, K.M., Smethurst, J.A., Powrie, W., O’Brien, A.S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Climate model; Embankment; Railway; Trees; Vegetation
• ISSN: 2214-3912; 2214-3912
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trgeo.2016.06.001

This paper uses a numerical model to investigate the influence of tree root water uptake and tree removal on pore water pressures and the vertical movement of a clay fill railway embankment. Simulated results of soil wetting and drying are compared with field measurements from an instrumented railway embankment before and after tree removal. A parametric study compares the influence of vegetation on the seasonal movement of the embankment slope. The simulations and field measurements show that while trees cause significant seasonal variations in pore water pressure and water content near the soil surface, they can maintain persistent soil suctions at depth within the tree rooting zone. Demonstration of this result using a numerical model requires a root water uptake function that separates spatially the processes of water infiltration, evaporation and transpiration. When all of the trees are removed, the persistent soil suctions established by the trees are lost as water infiltrates from the soil surface. Leaving the trees in place over the bottom third of the slope can maintain persistent suctions at the slope toe, while potentially also reducing seasonal ground movements at the crest that may adversely affect railway track geometry.