RAINDROP
(Resilient eArthwork INfrastructure: Diagnosis, RehabilitatiOn and Prognosis)
An interdisciplinary research cluster for sustainable, intelligent and climate change-resilient infrastructure slopes.
Deterioration of earthworks slopes - such as cuttings and embankments - which support transport infrastructure and act as flood defences is accelerating under increasing weather extremes resulting from global change, damaging critical infrastructure resilience.
This research cluster is a unique opportunity to deliver diagnostic, rehabilitation and forecasting approaches for earthworks stewardship in a dynamic and changing climate.
The cluster will be underpinned by a programme of unique, world-first large-scale experiments in the National Engineered Slope Simulator (NESS) facility, where 45-tonne model slopes will be subjected to accelerated environmental cycles.
Our multi-disciplinary academic team spans Civil Engineering, Materials, Robotics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Computer Science. We will work closely with Network Rail as well as other key stakeholders and collaborators.
We will also guide our seven fully-funded, interdisciplinary PhD researchers in addressing this significant challenge.
