Lyell Collection
Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology
Lyell Centre  |   Lyell Collection  |   Subscriptions   |   Geological Society  |   Email alerts  |   Online bookshop  |   Help

Keywords:
Author:
Advanced search>>
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow References
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Hawkins, A. B.
Right arrow Articles by Privett, K. D.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
GeoRef
Right arrow GeoRef Citation
Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology; 1981; v. 14; issue.3; p. 151-167;
DOI: 10.1144/GSL.QJEG.1981.014.03.02
© 1981 Geological Society of London

Article

A building site on cambered ground at Radstock, Avon

A. B. Hawkins & K. D. Privett*

Department of Geology, University of Bristol, Bristol, England

This paper gives details of the foundation problems at a housing development on a 4–7° slope of Blue Lias limestone, overlying Rhaetic and Keuper Marl.

Cambering in the past has produced extension gulls with cavities up to 1 m wide and zones of disturbance over 5 m wide. These structures were not visible on the surface or on the aerial photographs and presented unforeseen problems when discovered in foundation trenches. Extensive site checks have been undertaken, the foundations for each building plot being inspected by one of the authors.

A simple classification of the extension gulls on this site, based on the mode of opening along joint and bedding surfaces and any subsequent collapse or infilling, is presented. The overall stability of the hillside is discussed with reference to the residual strength of the Rhaetic, which here is a highly plastic, montmorillonitic horizon containing well marked shear planes.

The presence of the gulls necessitated several changes of the site layout in an attempt to avoid the most highly disturbed ground. The developer suffered a 150ss in the proposed number of units.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Geological Society, London, Engineering Geology Special PublicationsHome page
J. N. Hutchinson
Theme lecture: Periglacial and slope processes
Geological Society, London, Engineering Geology Special Publications, 1991; 7: 283 - 331.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 Progress in Physical GeographyHome page
D. Alexander
Urban landslides
Progress in Physical Geography, 1989; 13: 157 - 189.
[PDF]

Home page
 Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and HydrogeologyHome page
M. G. Culshaw and A. C. Waltham
Natural and artificial cavities as ground engineering hazards
Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 1987; 20: 139 - 150.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and HydrogeologyHome page
A. B. Hawkins and G. M. Pinches
Cause and significance of heave at Llandough Hospital, Cardiff--a case history of ground floor heave due to gypsum growth
Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 1987; 20: 41 - 57.
[Abstract] [PDF]