PROGRESS ON THE NURSERY SLOPES

Vegetation has been shown to reduce shallow slope failures on embankments and cuttings. A research project conducted in the UK by the Highways Agency and TRL on slope stability and the establishment of vegetation is described. The first phase identified a selection of plant species to be used in controlled trials to determine their growth in over-consolidated clay soils. A trial embankment, built at TRL, was planted with 20 species of trees, shrubs and perennials. A low survival rate was observed when live willow poles were installed at a site on the A249 at Iwade. A survey of vegetated reinforced slopes showed variable success. The primary causes of failure were lack of water and southerly facing slopes. Following a review by TRL, three trial sites were established on the M1 at Toddington, the A5 at Milton Keynes and the A10 at Hoddesdon. The results will provide information on long-term plant growth. For the covering abstract see ITRD E116081.

• Corporate Authors:

  EMAP CONSTRUCT LIMITED

  151 ROSEBERY AVENUE
  LONDON,   United Kingdom  EC1R 4QX
• Authors:
  • KIDD, A
• Publication Date: 2001-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 15-6
• Serial:
  • SOIL BIO-ENGINEERING. INTEGRATING ECOLOGY WITH ENGINEERING PRACTICE - SUPPLEMENT TO GROUND ENGINEERING
  • Publisher: EMAP CONSTRUCT LIMITED

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Construction; Ecology; Ecosystems; Embankments; Environment; Environmental engineering; Erosion; Highways; Research projects; Slope stability; Slopes; Soil stabilization; Soils; Vegetation
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 3655: Construction; 2457: Ecological engineering; 2801: Embankment; 2455: Environment; 5275: Erosion; 2755: Highway; 8557: Research project; 2831: Slope (terrain); 5783: Slope stability; 4156: Soil; 3689: Soil stabilization; 8119: United Kingdom; 2488: Vegetation
• Subject Areas: Construction; Environment; Geotechnology; Highways; Research;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00938985
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Mar 7 2003 12:00AM