Ellen Robson
Investigating the stability of non-linear slope profiles.
Email: e.b.robson2@ncl.ac.uk
Supervisors
Project description
Recent theoretical work suggests that non-linear slope profiles can exhibit greater stability than non-linear slopes of the same average inclination.
This research will investigate this theory further. Does it work and under what conditions?
We will also find out if re-profiling to non-linear slopes is a cost-effective slope stabilisation method. If so, it can be implemented on road cuttings in low-income countries.
We will discover whether non-linear slope profiles improve stability. We will use analytical and laboratory experimental methods to do this.
We have analysed and compared the behaviour of seepage through non-linear and linear slopes of equal average inclination. We used the finite element method to do this.
We have designed geotechnical centrifuge tests. Using these, we will further analyse the failure mechanisms of non-linear slopes against their linear counterparts. The tests will also corroborate our theoretical work.
We will establish whether/when re-profiling is a cost effective stabilisation technique. This research will examine the efficiency of different slope stabilisation practices in low-income countries. We will carry out cost analysis of slope stability works along roads in Nepal to develop an initial methodology.
PhD sponsored by NERC IAPETUS.
Publications
- EGU 2019abstracts accepted for poster and PICO sessions:
- Design of non-linear slope profiles to prevent road-related landslides
- A methodology to quantify cost effectiveness of engineering interventions for landslide remediation and prevention of road cuttings in least developed countries
- Balme M, Robson E, Barnes R, Butcher F, Fawdon P, Huber B, Ortner T, Paar G, Traxler C, Bridges J, Gupta S, Vago JL. Surface-based 3D measurements of small aeolian bedforms on Mars and implications for estimating ExoMars rover traversability hazards. In: Planetary and Space Science 2018. 153,39–53.
Interests
Open-water swimming, rugby, travelling, food
Qualifications
Graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2017 with First Class Honors (78%) MSci Geology with International Year. Awarded the Geology Prize for receiving the highest overall mark within the cohort. International year (2016-17) spent at the University of Copenhagen (Københavns Universitet).
twitter Ellen Robson - @slopenslide