Overview
Our work on the bio-inspired anchorage systems is focused on exploring the biological analog of tree root systems in order to identify and understand how different forms, behaviors, and/or principles may be extrapolated and adapted to improve conventional pile foundations and anchorage systems.
Current Year ’15-’16 Focus
TITLE: Root-Inspired Foundations and Retaining Systems
RESEARCHER: Matt Burrall (mnburrall@ucdavis.edu)
ADVISOR(S): Dr. Dan Wilson (dxwilson@ucdavis.edu), Jason DeJong (jdejong@ucdavis.edu)
COLLABORATOR(S): Prof. Ted DeJong, Prof. Astrid Volder
THRUST: Infrastructure Construction
USE-CASE: Non-linear, material efficient, root foundation solutions as alternatives to shallow/deep foundations.
TRANSFORMATIVE CONTRIBUTION: Versatile, energy-efficient and material-efficient anchor designs; enhanced understanding of soil flow mechanisms and interaction effects.
GAPS:
- Unknown flow mechanisms around irregular shapes and closely spaced elements
- Unknown magnitude of capacity increase associated with shape modifications
- Unclear relationship between complexity and capacity for anchor shapes
BARRIERS:
- Identification of important parameters and underlying mechanisms governing performance
- Possible scale effects on the performance of new anchor designs
- Economic considerations: modified anchor shapes may be difficult or expensive to manufacture and difficult to install
RESEARCH APPROACH:
- Analysis of tree root anchorage literature
- Collaboration with plant biologists for idea development and for better understanding of the biological system
- Air-spade excavation and analysis of tree species with disparate anchorage capacities
- Pullout tests of tree species with disparate anchorage capacities
- 3D model development of root systems through stitching of photographs
- Centrifuge testing of tree root inspired models to isolate important parameters and to assess the potential for capacity increases above existing foundation types
IMPORTANCE TO STAKEHOLDERS:
- Designers: This research will facilitate exploration of versatile foundation options and the ability to tailor design to the conditions at the site
- Owners: More sustainable (material-efficient and energy-efficient) options will be made available
- Academia: The varied testing regimes will result in a better understanding of soil flow mechanisms and the extent of arching effects
- Society: The development of alternatives to common, energy-heavy, concrete-heavy methods will shift engineering practice to more closely model nature’s equanimity