Biomimicry #02: Building Piling Inspired from Corn Plant Roots
- Simon Laporte
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
As part of our biomimicry series we show practical biomimicry concepts within the built environment. From skin to bones, from flower to root.
In this article, we focus on the building piling system called Pali Radice (Italian: Root piles), a foundation technique that mimics root strategies found in the common corn plant. Radice piles are small-diameter cast-insitu bored piles. Unlike massive traditional piles that rely on end bearing on the bedrock, radice piles rely heavily on friction along the pile surface. But where Radice piles really stand out is the piling direction, lending them the name “root piles”.
The corn plant can achieve slenderness ratios far beyond any human designed building.
The most slender high rise in the world is Steinway Tower in New York City that achieves a 1:24 (H/W) slenderness ratio, while a farmed corn plant easily achieves a 6-fold higher slenderness ratio of 1:150 (H/W). Corn plants achieve this by using an advanced root system to stabilize the plant during heavy storms and rain.
Main features of a corn plant root system are:
Primary root – Vertical root similar to friction bearing pile.
Crown roots - A set of thicker lateral roots increasing the overturning stability.
Fibrous roots – A large root network with secondary fibres that activate more soil and increases surface resistance.
Brace Roots – Above-soil roots which for larger plants help stabilizing against overturning.
Similarly to corn plant roots, Radice piles are rarely installed straight down. They are drilled at various angles to create a reticulated (net-like) structure underground. Just like the corn crown root, this angled network of piles grips a massive volume of soil providing stability both laterally and vertical. Typically, Radice piles are used for underpinning of sensitive heritage buildings due to the minimal vibrations, effectiveness at an angle and minimal required installation space
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