Chapter 1

PASHCHIMANCHAL CAMPUS

Bio- Engineering
(Elective – I )
Introduction to Bioengineering

Er. Sandip Duwadi

Asst. Professor

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Introduction to Bio- Engineering Landslides & Scenario of soil erosion in Nepal

• Nepal is prone to natural as well as human-induced hazards.
Contents: Each year, several hundred lives and properties worth
millions of dollars are lost and the soil ecosystem also gets
1.1 Glimpses of landslides and scenario of soil erosion in Nepal disturbed.
1.2 Identification of problems on slopes • Earthquake, landslide, debris flow, glacier lake outburst flood
1.3 Engineering functions to be performed (GLOF), avalanche, and cloud burst take a toll on lives and
1.4 Materials to be used for slope protection and stabilization property in the mountains and sudden flooding in the Terai.
works • When such hazards occur, bridges, roads and power lines
1.5 Use of vegetation as a slope stabilizing material located in the mountainous regions are destroyed.
1.5 Definition of Soil Bioengineering • At the same time, landslides and debris flows destroy fertile
fields and houses and also add to the sediment load in the
1.7 Justification of Bioengineering river, which in turn washes away the paddy fields located
1.8 Field of application and scope along the bank of rivers in mountain areas.
1.9 Advantages and limitations • In the Terai, many paddy fields are either eroded or
submerged by floodwater.
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 Landslides & Scenario of soil erosion in Nepal Landslides & Scenario of soil erosion in Nepal

• In this context, it is a big challenge for engineers to

solve the problems of erosion and slope stability.
• It is too costly to construct heavy structures and
use high technology to solve problems.
• The experiences of the past several years have
shown that such types of problems can be solved
by using low cost technology in combination with
vegetative measures.
• It is not a new technique in Nepal. Similar
indigenous methods have been in practice for
centuries.
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Landslides & Scenario of soil erosion in Nepal

DEFINITION: Bioengineering

The use of living plants either alone or in

combination with small scale civil
engineering structures or non living plant
material for the purpose of reducing the
shallow seated instability and controlling
erosion on slope

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 Introduction to Bioengineering PROBLEMS ON SLOPES
DEFINITION
 USE OF LIVING PLANTS  Materials roll down the slope
 USE OF SMALL CIVIL  Water enters into slope or liquefy the slope material
ENGINEERING STRUCTURES  Loose state of materials
 TO REDUCE SHALLOW SEATED  Outward and downward movement of slope
INSTABILITY AND CONTROL  Slip of overlying layer
EROSION  Accumulation of water

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A) CATCH FUNCTION
ENGINEERING FUNCTION OF PLANT • Loose materials have the tendency of rolling down the
slope because of gravity as well as erosion.
Constructing any structure, which could catch the
 Catch Function
rolling down materials, can control this tendency.
 Armour Function
 Reinforce Function B) ARMOUR FUNCTION
 Support Function • Some slopes are very water sensitive. It means, they
 Anchor Function start moving or are liquefied easily when they
intercept water or there may be the case of high rate
 Drain Function
infiltration, which later causes shear failure. Therefore,
such types of slope should be covered so that the
“CARSAD” water could be diverted easily. It is called the armoring
function.
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 E) ANCHOR FUNCTION
C) REINFORCING FUNCTION • If there is a case of failure of overlaying layers with
• Because of presence of voids, the soil may not compact respect to stable underlying strata, the upper strata can
and it may need bonding of the grains. The structure be pinned up with the underlying ones. This activity
constructed for this purpose fulfils the reinforcement fulfills the anchor function.
function.
F) DRAIN FUNCTION
D) SUPPORT FUNCTION • Water is the main problem leading to instabilities on
• On the slope with length more than 15m, the lateral earth slopes. It could be the surface water or the ground water.
pressure causes the outward and downward movement Therefore, the water should be diverted safely from the
of the slope material. Constructing any retaining types of slopes.
structure can control this tendency. They fulfill the
support function.
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Engineering Functions of Plant Slope stability mechanics of Plants

Catch

Support
Armour

 Reinforce

 Anchor

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 Increase in shear strength due to root
Advantages of bioengineering
 Protects almost all slopes against erosion
 Reduces the instance of shallow seated instability
 Improves surface drainage and reduces slumping
 Physical flexibility
 Versatility in application
 The only solution for some problems.
 Cost effective
 Environmentally advantageous
 Socially advantageous

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Scope of bioengineering Applications

 Slope stabilization
• Embankment
 Mining and reclamation  Reservoirs and dams • Cutting
 Highways and railways  Coastal and shoreline  Erosion control
protection  Water course and shoreline protection
 Construction sites
 Waste disposal and  Buildings  Wind erosion control
public health  Recreation  Vegetation barriers
 Airfields and helipads  Pipelines • Shelters
• Noise reduction
 Waterways  Site appraisal
 Surface protection and trafficability
 Land drainages  Control of runoff in small catchments
 Plants as indicators
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 Justification of the use of Bioengineering Limitation
 Not able to function in its initial stage
 By observation  Root Penetration on Foundation and Drains
 By calculation  Choking of Waterways with plant growth
 By estimation  Vegetation growth on structure cause adverse effect
 By interviews with local people on the performance of structural material
 By case studies  Needs aftercare, Regular repair and Maintenance
 Field visits

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Role Of Vegetation Engineering Functions

INTRODUCTION
Any structure is constructed to fulfill a concrete • It is the mechanical function performed by different
parts of vegetation. Engineering functions
function. This means, any structure has to fulfill performed by vegetation are as follows:
its engineering as well as other functions. • A) CATCH FUNCTION
As described earlier in Bioengineering, small-scale • B) ARMOUR FUNCTION
civil engineering (inert) and vegetative structures • C) REINFORCING FUNCTION
are used. • D) SUPPORT FUNCTION
• E) ANCHOR FUNCTION
Generally, these structures are used for fulfillment • F) DRAIN FUNCTION
of the following six engineering functions.
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Hydrological Effects of Vegetation

• Plants are basic producers and provide food to
the whole living world. In addition, they play
important role in hydrological cycle and
improves general environment of the
surrounding. The effects in hydrological
condition in and around a slope by plants are
described in the following points.

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 • Pool formation: water running over the ground
surface may be trapped by stems and run-off
• Interception: rain strikes the leaves before
prevented, pools will form on the surface;
striking the ground;
• Evaporation: water may evaporate from the leaf
• Infiltration: the ground is roughened and loosened
surfaces; by stems and roots, enabling water to infiltrate
• Storage: water is held on the leaves and the more easily;
stem for sometime before it eventually reaches
the ground; • Water uptake: water is taken into the plant through
• Leaf drip: accumulated water can drip off the the roots and returned to the atmosphere by the
leaves and fall to the ground; process of transpiration, which is the release of
water through the leaves.
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Thank You
References:

• Roadside Bio-engineering Handbook, Department of Road

• Bioengineering for River Training and Slope Protection Works: Training

Course for Field Technicians Working in Disaster Reduction Project Areas –
Mercy Corps

• Various Internet materials

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