Applicability of Corkscrew Extraction Technique in Strength Characterization of Phragmites australis Rooted Soil

Phragmites australis is frequently seen to grow along canal and stream banks in the Netherlands, and their roots are expected to provide some protection to the banks. The vegetation root-soil composite is known to have a higher resistance to shear compared to bare soil. However, estimating the root-soil composite strength using conventional techniques at field scale is time-consuming and expensive due to the large number of tests required to account for variability in root pattern of plants. Authors are reporting preliminary results of corkscrew extraction experiments to estimate the strength of root-soil composite along stream bank. Ductile behavior of root-soil composite was observed in samples with relatively high root biomass. Corkscrew extraction experiments proved to be quick and show potential to be used in difficult riparian terrains for strength estimation of root-soil composite.