Abstract

The failures of seawalls at Dawlish, Aberystwyth and elsewhere in storms in January and February 2014 attracted much media attention. Those failures will need short-term repair work, and long-term improvement and replacement. But repair strategies need to be informed by clear analysis of why the structures have failed, and an appreciation that some repairs can worsen other failure modes, particularly where strengthening the toe of a wall can cause impulsive overtopping or loadings.

Professor William Allsop will review the main causes for seawall failure, describe recent research results which can be used predict / forecast such failures, and then use the failure at Dawlish to illustrate some of these methods. He will conclude by discussing advice given to the MP for Newton Abbott on long-term options for securing the seawall at Dawlish.

William Allsop is Technical Director, Maritime Structures, HR Wallingford and a Visiting Professor at University of Southampton and an Honorary Professor at University College London.

Time: Refreshments served from 18.30. Talk starts at 19.00. Ends by 21:00 following questions and discussion.

Venue: Lecture Room 4, Cambridge University Engineering Department, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1PZ (directions). There is limited parking available on site.

Free to attend. Booking not required. All welcome.

This talk is open to the public and is suitable for students and engineers. You are encouraged to bring with you colleagues, friends and family who are interested in engineering and railways.

This event is organised jointly by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Beds and Cambs area and the Institution of Civil Engineers East of England.