Climate Adaptation Control Technologies for Urban Spaces (CACTUS)
This project aims to understand the response of composite barrier systems to extreme weather events and long-term climate change.
Project leader
Dr Ross Stirling
Dr Colin Davie
Dates
January 2018 to December 2022
Sponsors
EPSRC
Partners
AECOM Limited (UK)
Arup Group Ltd Geosynthetics Ltd
NHBC National House-Building Council
Northumbrian Water Group plc
Royal Haskoning
Skanska Transport NI
Welsh Government
Welsh Local Government Association
Description
This project focuses on climate adaptation composite barrier systems. These consist of water holding layers and a capillary barrier. They limit the impact of a changing environment on the geo-infrastructure. This increases their engineering sustainability and resilience.
Soil-plant-atmosphere interactions govern the environmental cyclic actions imposed on our infrastructure.
This is a coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical problem driven by the atmosphere. Soil type, stress history, stress level, mineralogy, soil-water chemistry and vegetation influence it.
Understanding this complex problem requires systematic research and a coherent approach. The project undertakes systematic experimental and numerical modelling studies.
These will help develop appropriate sustainable adaptation technologies that will mitigate potential impacts on urban geo-infrastructure.