Creep and Durability of Weakly Stabilised Clays

Loughborough UniversityLoughborough, United Kingdom

Course overview

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

Key highlights

Investigates creep and durability of weakly stabilised clays in embankments
Examines behaviour under high overburden and confinement stresses
Explores effects of changing environmental conditions such as free water
Builds on existing research into stabilised infrastructure materials
94% of research impact rated world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021)

Entry requirements

Degree: 2:1 — 2:1

Scholarships

Alumni Bursary
10% of tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.
Up to 10% of fees
Alumni Discount
UK students: £1,500 tuition fee discount for one academic year. International students: £3,000 tuition fee discount for one academic year.
Care Leaver's Scholarship
Excellence Scholarships
UK students: £3,000 off tuition fees; International students: £6,000 off tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.
International Sports Student Postgraduate Bursary
Our International Sports Student Postgraduate Bursary offers a £12,000 tuition fee discount (set against the tuition fees of your chosen postgraduate taught programme ONLY).
Up to £12,000
London 10th Anniversary Award
£5,000 off tuition fees.
Up to £5,000
Loughborough Business School Scholarship
£1,500 (UK students) and £3,000 (international students) off tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.
MBA Progress with Purpose Scholarship
50% of tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.
Up to 50% of fees
Qatari Ghanim Al-Muftah Excellence Scholarship

Careers this course leads to

Geotechnical Engineer
Research Engineer
Postdoctoral Researcher in Geotechnics
Earthworks Engineer
Infrastructure Materials Specialist
University Lecturer in Civil Engineering

Cost of study

UK/Home: £5,238 | International: £29,500

Admission

Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to Loughborough University, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.

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