University of Sussex
Browse
Barlow et al 2018 Natural Experiments - accepted.pdf (525.11 kB)

Natural experiments in rock mechanics using high precision monitoring of chalk sea cliffs

Download (525.11 kB)
conference contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 15:09 authored by John BarlowJohn Barlow, Roger Moore, J Gilham
Prediction of rock slide events remains a difficult task for geoscientists. Kinematic analysis provides an indication of possible modes of failure at a site. However, the highly variable nature of chalk compressive strength due to variations in water content and salt weathering is such that parameterizing models of slope stability can result in large variations in the resultant factor of safety. In this work, we use high-precision monitoring data of an eroding coastal cliff to characterize the geometry of a large wedge failure in chalk. We use these data in conjunction with published material properties to model the joint compressive strength of the chalk at the time of failure through back analysis. Results indicate a strength of 7.19 KPa for the chalk suggesting that the joint surface was close to saturation at the time of failure.

Funding

EPSRC; G1191

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Engineering in chalk

Publisher

ICE Publishing

Event name

Engineering in Chalk 2018

Event location

Imperial College, London, UK

Event type

conference

Event date

17th and 18th September 2018

Book title

Engineering in Chalk

ISBN

9780727764072

Department affiliated with

  • Geography Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Editors

J.A. Lawrence, R. Buckley, U.L. Lawrence, M. Preene

Legacy Posted Date

2018-09-20

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2018-09-20

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2018-09-20

Usage metrics

    University of Sussex (Publications)

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC