Open AccessResearch Note: Observed Symmetry and Force of Plantanus × acerifolia (Ait.) Willd. Roots Occurring Between Foam Layers Under Pavement
Author(s) -
Jason Grabosky,
E. Thomas Smiley,
Gregory Dahle
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
arboriculture and urban forestry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 2155-0778
pISSN - 1935-5297
DOI - 10.48044/jauf.2011.006
Subject(s) - root (linguistics) , offset (computer science) , trunk , penetration (warfare) , symmetry (geometry) , replicate , materials science , geotechnical engineering , mathematics , botany , geology , computer science , biology , geometry , philosophy , linguistics , statistics , operations research , programming language
Root damage to infrastructure is common in the urban environment. Many problems could be avoided if more were known about tree root growth patterns and the forces involved. This study looks at the growth symmetry and forces from four roots to aid in the development of a computer model. Two primary roots, each from two trees, that were growing between two foam layers under pavement for 10 years were harvested and sectioned to measure radial growth symmetry to assist in the development of a computer simulation of root growth under pavement. The indentations in the foam created by the root growth were replicated using a universal loading press to estimate the radial growth pressure. Root growth was offset upward when close to the tree trunk, but shifted to a downward offset within 1 m from the trunk. Load penetration testing of the foam suggested a minimal load of 0.35–0.40 MPa to replicate the foam deformation.