Dr Kevin Briggs, University of Bath

Research Chairs and Senior Research Fellowships 2019-20

Dr Briggs will draw on over a million soil and rock samples and tests from UK mudstones, obtained as part of the ground investigation for Britain’s new high speed rail network (HS2 Phase 1). These mudstones were formed between 150 million and 250 million years ago and subsequently degraded by weathering processes in the ice ages. Dr Briggs will explore how these processes have affected the engineering properties of the mudstones. This will enable a more economic and less carbon-intensive design of structures, tunnels and earthworks across the railway. As mudstones underlie major cities in much of England and Wales, the research will also provide a legacy of learning for the benefit of future generations; to inform the safe and efficient construction of buildings and infrastructure.

Personal website: https://researchportal.bath.ac.uk/en/persons/kevin-briggs