Metodologia para especificação de plantas com potencial biotécnico em engenharia natural

Abstract

Soil Bioengineering is a technical discipline that can combine live construction materials, like seeds, plants, parts of plants and plant communities, with inert materials used for stabilisation and protection of slopes, streambanks and eroded areas. The use of vegetation as a construction material distinguishes this discipline from traditional engineering interventions that rely solely on the use of inert materials. There is however, the need for a greater technical accuracy regarding the use of plants in Soil Bioengineering projects, and more specifically concerning its use in infrastructure works that require greater technical responsibility and have higher associated risks. Taking this issue into consideration, the purpose of this dissertation is to accomplish the development of a methodology for the specification of live construction material, through the analysis of plants, from a technical point of view, considering its functions, actions and effects on the engineering properties of soils. By understanding how vegetation acts on the geotechnical and hydraulic stabilisation and surface erosion control, a procedure based on the biotechnical properties of plants, resulting from their inherent morpho-mechanical characteristics was developed. These characteristics play several technical functions that, through an hydrologic and/or mechanical process, have positive effects on the engineering properties of soils, and therefore affecting the strength or the stress on soil. This procedure has proved to be efficient in the organization and definition of concepts and information related to the use of vegetation, as well as, in its specification as a construction material in infrastructure works which use Soil Bioengineering solutions. This procedure has also proved to be useful in structuring a fact sheet for plants, comprising specific topics that provide technical information, which may be used by the several practitioners working in Soil Bioengineering.