Creep and Durability of Weakly Stabilised Clays

Traditionally stabilised materials in infrastructure are used near the top of earthworks to create increased performance of the overlying pavement or railway track structures. However more recently, stabilised clay fill materials are being used in lower layers of large embankments to improve stability and reduce settlements of the embankment. Additionally materials are being treated with lower levels of stabilising agents than may have been traditionally used to reduce costs. While the behaviours of such materials are understood in pavement applications (under low normal stresses), little is know about the durability and creep performance of weakly stabilsed materials subject to high overburden and confinement stresses, (as occurs deep in embankments). Additionally little is known about the impact of changes in environmental conditions (such as the availability of free water) over time on the durability of such materials. This PhD aims to develop current work into stabilised materials to investigate these issues. 94% of Loughborough’s research impact is rated world-leading or internationally excellent. REF 2021

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October 2026, February 2027, July 2027

31 December 2026

• Loughborough, United Kingdom