THE EFFECT OF TREE ROOTS UPON PAVEMENT BEHAVIOUR

Design for pavement thickness purposes sometimes incorporates broad environmental input parameters (eg, rainfall). However the performance of the pavement is often controlled by local environmental conditions giving rise to service which is contrary to design expectations. Roadside vegetation and its impact upon local environmental conditions needs to be examined in this regard. This paper describes an investigation into the effects of tree roots upon a residential street pavement in Adelaide. By measuring total suction in the laboratory on soil taken from near the tree (a eucalyptus species located in an expansive clay subgrade soil area) the extent of the drying influence of the tree's roots is assessed. The deformed surface shape of the pavement is discussed and related to the soil profile and dessication caused by the roots. The effects of the tree's roots are then examined in relation to the surface deflections developed during the application of a loaded wheel. This discussion presents information in terms of surface deflection measurements using a Benkelman beam and laboratory measured compression stiffness values. This paper describes an investigation carried out in an area of Adelaide which suffers penalties from premature loss of surface shape of residential streets. Some of this deterioration is known to be due to the planting of trees in the verges of these streets. In addition, advantages offered by carrying out, in some circumstances, routine suction measurements as part of pavement investigation processes are mentioned. (Author/TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0858252082
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Papers presented during the Geomechanics-Interaction, Fourth Australia-New Zealand Conference on Geomechanics, Perth, Western Australia, 14-18 May 1984, Volumes I and II.
• Corporate Authors:

  Institution of Engineers

  11 National Circuit
  Barton, A.C.T.,   Australia 
• Authors:
  • MCINNES, D B
• Publication Date: 1984-3

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 461-465
• Monograph Title: GEOMECHANICS - INTERACTION. FOURTH AUSTRALIA - NEW ZEALAND CONFERENCE ON GEOMECHANICS, PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA, 14-18 MAY 1984. PREPRINTS OF PAPERS. VOLUMES I AND II
• Serial:
  • Issue Number: 84/2

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benkelman beam; Clay; Conferences; Deflection; Deformation; Drying; Environmental impacts; Expansive clays; Field tests; Laboratories; Loss and damage; Measurement; Pavement performance; Pavements; Residential areas; Roadside; Roots; Shape; Soil profiles; Soil suction; Soils; Stiffness; Surfacing; Thickness; Vegetation; Wheel loads
• Uncontrolled Terms: Pavement thickness; Soil deformation
• Geographic Terms: Australia
• Old TRIS Terms: Pavement deflection; Roots (Plants)
• ITRD Terms: 8006: Australia; 4177: Clay; 8525: Conference; 5586: Deflection; 5595: Deformation; 5184: Drying; 6226: In situ; 6237: Laboratory (not an organization); 9040: Loss; 6136: Measurement; 2955: Pavement; 307: Residential area; 9073: Shape; 5931: Stiffness; 5771: Suction; 2972: Surfacing; 2488: Vegetation
• Subject Areas: Design; Environment; Geotechnology; Highways; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00392057
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• ISBN: 0-85825-208-2
• Files: ITRD, TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Mar 29 1985 12:00AM