Device for monitoring growth condition of plant root system in rock fracture

Abstract

The invention discloses a device for monitoring the growth condition of a plant root system in a rock fracture, and relates to the field of rock slope ecological protection, and the device comprises a planting mold, a rock fracture simulation sample, a light shield, a 3D scanner and an upper computer; the bottom of the planting mold is provided with a through hole into which a root system extends; and crisscrossed V-shaped simulation cracks of crack fillers are arranged in the simulation sample and are used for simulating a real rock mass environment. During monitoring, after a root system enters a fracture, the light shield is moved away, non-contact scanning is performed by using a 3D scanner according to a preset strategy, light shielding is performed again after data are obtained, and a root system three-dimensional growth model is built through an upper computer. According to the method, the growth process of the root system in the rock fracture is monitored for a long time in a nondestructive monitoring mode, the authenticity and representativeness of the root system three-dimensional growth model are improved, and more representative basic data are provided for research on overall stability calculation of a root-soil complex and slope rock mass in rock slope spray-seeding type ecological restoration engineering.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of ecological protection of rock slopes, and in particular to a device for monitoring the growth of plant roots in rock fissures. Background Technology

[0002] In ecological restoration projects of rock slopes, hydroseeding technology is one of the most commonly used techniques for slope revegetation and vegetation protection. The interaction between plant roots and fractured rock mass is one of the key indicators characterizing the overall stability of the three-in-one structure of vegetation substrate, root system, and rock mass. In studies on the stability of the root-soil composite at the junction with the rock slope, the vast majority of research focuses on the interaction between the root system and the vegetation substrate, or the strength and deformation characteristics of the junction between the root-soil composite and the rock. However, research on the interaction between the root system and fractured rock mass is very limited, especially on the growth characteristics of roots within rock fissures. In fact, the key factors affecting the overall stability of the three-in-one structure of vegetation substrate, root system, and rock mass, besides the physical and mechanical properties of the vegetation substrate, the distribution characteristics of the root system within the vegetation substrate, and the overall stability of the root-soil composite, are also closely related to the extension characteristics of the root system within rock fissures. After penetrating deep into rock fissures, the root system provides excellent anchoring for the root-soil composite, enhancing the overall stability of the three-in-one structure of vegetation substrate, root system, and rock mass.

[0003] Currently, research on plant root expansion in rock fissures is relatively limited, leaving significant gaps in the field. Existing research methods primarily combine laboratory testing with theoretical analysis. This involves removing plant roots, washing off surface soil, and using root scanners to analyze morphological characteristics. While this method clearly observes root morphology, it cannot accurately analyze root growth within fissures. Existing plant root observation methods utilize simple fissure structures. Real rock fissures are intricately interwoven, filled with sand, soil, and other materials. Furthermore, the growth characteristics of plant roots in fissures filled with these materials differ significantly from those in unfilled fissures, reflecting a substantial difference in the plant's natural growth environment. Moreover, current observation techniques can only monitor the growth of single roots extending into transverse fissures, failing to observe the growth of multiple roots. The results are all two-dimensional, unable to provide three-dimensional observation of root growth. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide a monitoring device for the growth of plant roots in rock fissures. This device can monitor the growth process of roots in rock fissures over a long period of time using a non-destructive monitoring method, thereby improving the realism and representativeness of the three-dimensional root growth model. It also provides more representative basic data for the calculation of the overall stability of the root-soil complex and the slope rock mass in ecological restoration projects involving hydroseeding on rock slopes.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following solution.

[0006] This application provides a device for monitoring the growth of plant roots in rock fissures. The device includes: a planting mold, a simulated rock fissure sample, a light shield, a 3D scanner, and a host computer. The planting mold is placed on the simulated rock fissure sample and is used to hold the plant to be studied. The bottom of the planting mold has multiple through holes. The simulated rock fissure sample is a transparent material sample with several crisscrossing simulated fissures. The simulated fissures in the simulated rock fissure sample are filled with fissure filler. The fissures are V-shaped fissures, wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. The light shield is fitted over the sample. Outside the simulated rock fissure specimen; the light shield is used to prevent the roots of the plant under study from exhibiting phototropic growth; the 3D scanner is electrically connected to the host computer; after the roots of the plant under study pass through the through hole, the light shield is removed, and the 3D scanner is used to perform a non-contact scan of the growth status of the plant roots of the plant under study inside the simulated rock fissure specimen according to a preset scanning strategy. After obtaining the scan results, the light shield is put back on the outside of the simulated rock fissure specimen, and a three-dimensional model of the root system is generated by computer based on the scan results.

[0007] Based on the specific embodiments provided in this application, the following technical effects are disclosed.

[0008] This application utilizes non-destructive monitoring to acquire long-term three-dimensional growth data of roots within fissures, providing more representative fundamental data for stability studies of root-soil-rock composites in ecological restoration projects of rock slopes. The device mainly consists of a planting mold, a transparent simulated rock fissure sample, a light-shielding cover, a 3D scanner, and a host computer. The planting mold has a through-hole at its bottom and is positioned above the simulated sample, containing the plant to be studied. The simulated sample is made of transparent material with pre-set, crisscrossing V-shaped fissures filled with material to recreate the real rock fissure environment. The light-shielding cover is used to isolate light during non-scanning periods to prevent phototropic growth deviations in the roots. During monitoring, after the roots penetrate through the through-hole into the fissure, the light-shielding cover is removed, and a high-precision 3D scanner performs periodic non-contact scanning according to a preset strategy to acquire growth morphology data. The light is then re-shielded, and the data is processed by the host computer to construct a dynamic and realistic three-dimensional root growth model, thereby achieving long-term in-situ visual observation of the root extension process in the simulated fissure medium. Attached Figure Description

[0009] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or related technologies, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structural connection of a device for monitoring the growth of plant roots in rock fissures, provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the light shield provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0012] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of the rock fracture simulation specimen provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 1 .

[0013] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of the rock fracture simulation specimen provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 2 .

[0015] Figure labels: 1. Planting mold; 2. Rock fissure simulation sample; 3. Light shield; 4. 3D scanner; 5. Host computer. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0017] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0018] Example 1, as Figures 1-3 As shown in the figure, this embodiment provides a device for monitoring the growth of plant roots in rock fissures. The device includes: a planting mold 1, a rock fissure simulation sample 2, a light shield 3, a 3D scanner 4, and a host computer 5.

[0019] The planting mold 1 is set on the rock fissure simulation sample 2; the planting mold 1 is used to hold the implant to be studied; the bottom of the planting mold 1 is provided with multiple through holes; the rock fissure simulation sample 2 is a transparent material sample with several crisscrossing simulated fissures; the simulated fissures of the rock fissure simulation sample 2 are also filled with fissure filler; the fissures are V-shaped fissures that are wider at the top and narrower at the bottom.

[0020] The light-shielding cover 3 is fitted over the outside of the simulated rock fissure specimen 2; the light-shielding cover 3 is used to prevent the roots growing from the plant under study from exhibiting phototropic growth.

[0021] The 3D scanner 4 is electrically connected to the host computer 5.

[0022] After the roots of the plant under study have passed through the through hole, the light shield 3 is removed. The 3D scanner 4 is used to perform a non-contact scan of the growth status of the plant roots of the plant under study in the rock fissure simulation sample 2 according to a preset scanning strategy. After obtaining the scan results, the light shield 3 is put back on the outside of the rock fissure simulation sample 2, and a three-dimensional model of the root system is generated by computer based on the scan results.

[0023] Optionally, the material used to make the simulated rock fracture specimen 2 is plexiglass.

[0024] Optionally, the simulated rock fracture specimen 2 is a cube or a cylinder, with the side length of the cube being greater than or equal to 30cm, and the diameter of the cylinder being greater than or equal to 15cm and the height being greater than or equal to 20cm, and the number of specimens made is not less than 3.

[0025] Furthermore, the lower surface of the planting mold 1 is in close contact with the upper surface of the rock fissure simulation specimen 2, forming a whole, and the cross-sectional shape and cross-sectional dimensions of the planting mold 1 are consistent with those of the rock fissure simulation specimen 2.

[0026] Optionally, the planting mold 1 is made of stainless steel, and the thickness of the planting mold 1 is greater than or equal to 2mm and the height is greater than or equal to 15cm.

[0027] Optionally, the planting mold 1 has 3mm diameter holes (through holes) drilled every 3mm along the height direction at a distance of 2-20mm from the lower edge, with a horizontal spacing of 5mm between the holes.

[0028] Optionally, the through holes are arranged in an array or in a quincunx pattern.

[0029] Furthermore, in the simulated cracks, the distance between any two adjacent transverse simulated cracks is less than or equal to 5 cm, and the distance between any two adjacent longitudinal simulated cracks is less than or equal to 5 cm.

[0030] Furthermore, the simulated crack specifically includes: a first crack, a second crack, and a third crack; the width of the first crack is 1mm~2mm; the width of the second crack is 2mm~4mm; and the width of the third crack is 4mm~6mm.

[0031] Furthermore, the first, second, and third cracks are distributed alternately in the transverse direction, and the first, second, and third cracks are distributed alternately in the longitudinal direction.

[0032] As an alternative implementation method, the rock fracture simulation specimen 2 can also be printed by 3D printing, and the specific process is as follows.

[0033] 1) Obtain real rock fracture data of the target area.

[0034] 2) Construct a rock fracture structure model of the target area based on the rock fracture data of the target area.

[0035] 3) Convert the rock fracture structure model into a fracture structure file that can be recognized by a 3D printer.

[0036] 4) Input the fracture structure file into the 3D printer and print out the rock fracture simulation sample 2.

[0037] The technical effects of 3D printing rock fracture simulation specimen 2 are as follows.

[0038] By using 3D printing technology to create simulated rock fracture specimens 2, a digital model is constructed based on real rock fracture data from the target area. This model can accurately reproduce the complex spatial distribution, geometric morphology (such as crisscrossing V-shaped cross sections), and dimensional characteristics of fractures in natural rock masses. This improves the simulation specimens' accuracy in restoring the real fracture structure and their geological representativeness, thereby providing experimental data that is closer to the actual environment for monitoring root growth in fractures.

[0039] In practical applications, 3D printing first requires converting the three-dimensional digital model built based on real fracture data into a standard format (such as an STL file) and importing it into the 3D printer. The printing material must be a highly transparent photocurable resin (such as a transparent photosensitive resin) or engineering plastic (such as a transparent PMMA / acrylic-based material) suitable for high-precision molding. These materials can be printed using technologies such as SLA (stereolithography) or DLP (digital light processing), which can more accurately reproduce the V-shaped cross-section, interlacing network, and subtle width variations of the fracture. After printing, the sample undergoes cleaning and curing to obtain a simulated rock fracture specimen 2 that combines structural realism and optical transparency.

[0040] Furthermore, the preset scanning strategy is to perform periodic scanning at one-hour intervals within a preset number of scanning days; the preset number of scanning days is greater than or equal to 150 days.

[0041] Furthermore, the plant under study is a mixture of vegetative substrates in which seeds of the plant under study are sown.

[0042] Optionally, plant seeds can be sown 1.5-2 cm below the surface of the vegetation substrate to form a root-soil complex for slope ecological restoration.

[0043] Optional, vegetation substrates can be used for slope ecological restoration.

[0044] Furthermore, the plant seeds to be studied include at least one of the following: seeds of perennial herbaceous plants or seeds of perennial shrubs.

[0045] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 As shown, the crack filler is a mixture of transparent glass spheres with different particle sizes and roundness.

[0046] Furthermore, the maximum particle size of the transparent glass sphere is less than or equal to half the opening width of the simulated fissure it fills.

[0047] Optionally, the 3D scanner 4 is a handheld laser 3D scanner 4 with a measurement accuracy of not less than 0.01mm.

[0048] Optionally, the 3D scanner 4 is connected to the host computer 5 via a data cable.

[0049] Optionally, the host computer 5 is a microcomputer.

[0050] Optional, such as Figure 2 As shown, the light shield 3 is composed of multiple sheets of light-shielding paper.

[0051] As an optional implementation, this embodiment also provides a specific method for using the device for monitoring the growth of plant roots in rock fissures, as follows.

[0052] Step 1: Prepare rock fissure simulation specimen 2. Prepare no less than 3 specimens (for setting up a control group). Place the prepared rock fissure simulation specimen 2 on an opaque platform in a greenhouse and fill the simulated fissures with transparent fissure filler.

[0053] Step 2: Place the planting mold 1 on top of the rock fissure simulation specimen 2, with the outer surface of the planting mold 1 coinciding with the outer surface of the rock fissure simulation specimen 2.

[0054] Step 3: Fill the planting mold 1 with the growing substrate. The filling thickness is determined according to the project requirements. After the growing substrate reaches the predetermined thickness, sow plant seeds in the growing substrate at a depth of 1.5~2cm. After sowing, water and maintain the substrate.

[0055] Step 4: After the plant roots enter the cracks of the simulated rock fissure sample 2, the root system is scanned every hour using a handheld laser 3D scanner 4 with a measurement accuracy of not less than 0.01 mm. After the scanning is completed, the area around the simulated rock fissure sample 2 is covered with black paper to prevent light from affecting the growth of the plant roots.

[0056] Step 5: Store and analyze the monitored data, and generate a three-dimensional root system model based on the scan results using a computer.

[0057] The technical effects of this application are as follows.

[0058] This application utilizes non-destructive monitoring to acquire long-term three-dimensional growth data of roots within fissures, providing more representative fundamental data for stability studies of root-soil-rock composites in ecological restoration projects of rock slopes. The device mainly consists of a planting mold, a transparent simulated rock fissure sample, a light-shielding cover, a 3D scanner, and a host computer. The planting mold has a through-hole at its bottom and is positioned above the simulated sample, containing the plant to be studied. The simulated sample is made of transparent material with pre-set, crisscrossing V-shaped fissures filled with material to recreate the real rock fissure environment. The light-shielding cover is used to isolate light during non-scanning periods to prevent phototropic growth deviations in the roots. During monitoring, after the roots penetrate through the through-hole into the fissure, the light-shielding cover is removed, and a high-precision 3D scanner performs periodic non-contact scanning according to a preset strategy to acquire growth morphology data. The light is then re-shielded, and the data is processed by the host computer to construct a dynamic and realistic three-dimensional root growth model, thereby achieving long-term in-situ visual observation of the root extension process in the simulated fissure medium.

[0059] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other.

[0060] This document uses specific examples to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the methods and core ideas of this application. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the ideas of this application, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring the growth of plant roots in rock fissures, characterized in that, The device includes: a planting mold, a rock fissure simulation sample, a light shield, a 3D scanner, and a host computer; The planting mold is set on the simulated rock fracture sample; the planting mold is used to hold the implant to be studied; the bottom of the planting mold is provided with multiple through holes; the simulated rock fracture sample is a transparent material sample with several crisscrossing simulated fractures; the simulated fractures of the simulated rock fracture sample are also filled with fracture filler; the fractures are V-shaped fractures that are wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. The light-shielding cover is fitted over the outside of the simulated rock fissure sample; the light-shielding cover is used to prevent the roots growing from the plant under study from exhibiting phototropic growth. The 3D scanner is electrically connected to the host computer. After the roots of the plant under study have passed through the through hole, the light shield is removed. The 3D scanner is then used to perform a non-contact scan of the root system of the plant under study inside the simulated rock fissure specimen according to a preset scanning strategy. After obtaining the scan results, the light shield is put back on the outside of the simulated rock fissure specimen, and a three-dimensional model of the root system is generated by computer based on the scan results.

2. The device for monitoring plant root growth in rock fissures according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower surface of the planting mold is in close contact with the upper surface of the simulated rock fracture specimen, forming a whole. The cross-sectional shape and dimensions of the planting mold are consistent with those of the simulated rock fracture specimen.

3. The device for monitoring plant root growth in rock fissures according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the simulated cracks, the distance between any two adjacent transverse simulated cracks is less than or equal to 5 cm, and the distance between any two adjacent longitudinal simulated cracks is less than or equal to 5 cm.

4. The device for monitoring plant root growth in rock fissures according to claim 3, characterized in that, The simulated cracks specifically include: a first crack, a second crack, and a third crack; the width of the first crack is 1mm to 2mm; the width of the second crack is 2mm to 4mm; and the width of the third crack is 4mm to 6mm.

5. The device for monitoring plant root growth in rock fissures according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first, second, and third cracks are distributed alternately in the transverse direction, and the first, second, and third cracks are distributed alternately in the longitudinal direction.

6. The device for monitoring plant root growth in rock fissures according to claim 1, characterized in that, The preset scanning strategy is to perform periodic scanning at one-hour intervals within a preset number of scanning days; the preset number of scanning days is greater than or equal to 150 days.

7. The device for monitoring plant root growth in rock fissures according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plant material to be studied is a mixture of vegetative substrates in which seeds of the plant to be studied are sown.

8. The device for monitoring plant root growth in rock fissures according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plant seeds to be studied include at least one of the following: seeds of perennial herbaceous plants or seeds of perennial shrubs.

9. The device for monitoring plant root growth in rock fissures according to claim 1, characterized in that, The crack filler is a mixture of transparent glass spheres with different particle sizes and roundness.

10. The device for monitoring plant root growth in rock fissures according to claim 3, characterized in that, The maximum particle size of the transparent glass sphere is less than or equal to half the opening width of the simulated fissure it fills.

Images