Geotechnics: Climate Change Impacts on Slope Stability (Ref: ABCE-ASm1-24)

Warmer temperatures, extreme droughts, and more intensive convective storms are accelerating deterioration of slopes, degrading resilience. There is an urgent need to understand why, and anticipate when, slope failures occur to enable targeted and timely preventative actions.

This PhD will take advantage of the National Engineered Slope Simulator (NESS); a unique, large-scale (5×3×2 m, 45-tonne samples), configurable, climate-controlled testing facility for slope stability. A suite of instrumentation enables monitoring of stresses, strains, deformation, pore pressures, suctions, moisture content, photogrammetry and more.

Depending on the selected PhD candidate’s strengths and interests, the project could take a range of directions:

1. Soil mechanics of climate-driven deterioration, focussing principally on large- and element-scale laboratory testing.
2. Diagnostic techniques for slope condition assessment, harnessing data fusion and AI analytics.
3. Forecasting/prediction of slope failure using numerical simulations and/or probabilistic techniques.
4. Low carbon slope rehabilitation/intervention strategies.

Dr Alister Smith is Reader (Associate Professor) in Geotechnics and is Director of the National Engineered Slope Simulator.

94% of Loughborough’s research impact is rated world-leading or internationally excellent. REF 2021

Supervisors

• Primary Supervisor: Dr Alister Smith

Entry requirements

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject. A relevant master’s degree and/or experience is desirable. 

English language requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website.

How to apply

All applications must be made online and must include a completed studentship application form (instead of a personal statement) and a two-page research proposal based on the project description describing how you would approach the project and what methods you would use. Under programme name, please select ‘Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering (Built Environment)’. Please quote reference number ABCE-ASm1-24.

To avoid delays in processing your application, please ensure that you submit the minimum supporting documents including an up-to-date CV, but a personal statement is not required.

ABCE will use these selection criteria to make a decision on your application.

Apply now