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Plant root systems serve as a natural reinforcing material, significantly improving soil stability. Furthermore, the tensile strength of soil is crucial in mitigating the formation of cracks. Consequently, this study aims to investigate the influence of plant roots on the tensile strength of soil. For this investigation, Amorpha fruticose was selected due to its large root diameter and the ease of root extraction. Indoor tensile tests were conducted on individual roots and root-soil complexes under three varying factors. The results indicate a power law relationship between root diameter and tensile strength. Increased root content and dry density notably enhance the tensile strength of the root-soil complex while roots mitigate damage associated with soil brittleness. When root content increases from 0 to 10, the maximum enhancement in tensile strength of the root-soil complex reaches 42.3 kPa. The tensile strength of the root-soil complex at a dry density of 1.7 g/cm3 is four to five times greater than that of the complex at a dry density of 1.4 g/cm3. Moreover, as moisture content increases, the tensile strength of the root-soil complex initially rises before declining, with an increase range of 7.7-35.8 kPa. These findings provide a scientific basis for understanding the role of vegetation roots in soil tensile strength and for guiding slope reinforcement strategies.

来源平台：JOURNAL OF MOUNTAIN SCIENCE