Strength and stiffness anisotropy of 3D-printed coarse root analogues for small-scale physical modelling

Plant root–soil mechanical interaction in the application of soil bioengineering such as tree and slope stability has been investigated by way of centrifuge modelling, utilising root analogues to replicate vegetated soils. Three-dimensional (3D) printing can be used to model complex root architecture, but the nature of the layer-upon-layer printing process may lead to printed parts of differing tensile behaviour depending on orientation and, consequently, unrealistic simulation of root mechanical reinforcement. This study aimed to assess the strength and stiffness anisotropy of straight root analogues built at varying orientations by way of three different 3D printing methods and compare the measured properties with those of real roots. The tensile strength ratios between horizontal- and vertical-printed samples were up to 3·90, 1·27 and 2·57 for fused deposition modelling (FDM), liquid-crystal display and PolyJet methods, respectively. Stiffness anisotropy was also more significant in FDM. The relatively higher anisotropy in FDM-printed samples could overestimate the strength and stiffness of most roots in a hypothetical heart-shaped root system, depending on the diameter distribution. Such a physical model may be improved by using 45° inclined PolyJet-printed rods.