Landslides pose a significant geological risk to human infrastructure and life. With changing weather patterns and a likely increase in the intensity of drought and downpour events, there is a pressing need to understand the sensitivity of landslides to a range of initiation mechanisms. Landslide activity can be monitored using geophysical methods, which can detect a range of relevant properties and processes, including mechanical strength and water saturation that govern slope stability, and how they vary in space and time. Geophysical measurements provide volumetric models of the subsurface, bridging gaps in coverage and resolution between highly localised point sensor measurements (e.g., piezometers, tiltmeters, etc.) and surface-only remote sensing observations (e.g., InSAR, LiDAR, etc.).
Do you want to advance our understanding of landslide processes, using truly state-of-the-art geophysical techniques? Do you want the additional support from an industrial partner and the opportunity to undertake a placement with them? This could be the PhD project for you!
The recent innovation of distributed sensing methods offers the potential to overcome cost-driven spatial limitations of traditional point sensor networks. By monitoring variations of laser backscatter within a fibre optic cable, distributed sensing allows meter-scale assessment of geophysical quantities (including temperature, strain and acoustic seismicity) to be determined along a cable several kilometres in length. When accompanied by traditional seismic and electrical observations, a comprehensive picture of the evolution of strain, water accumulation and landslide movement can be produced. Furthermore, the sample density along the fibre optic cable enables high resolution seismic tomography and location of seismic emissions.
Since 2005, the British Geological Survey (BGS) has been testing the application of distributed sensing at its Hollin Hill Landslide Observatory, complementing existing installations of passive seismometers and its PRIME electrical resistivity tomography network. A large dataset of distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) data is available and ready to be analysed, and this will be extended with temperature and strain records using Leeds’ School of Earth and Environment (SEE) in-house distributed sensing systems. To extend the learning froom Hollin Hill, BGS is also eager to explore the application of distributed sensing at other vulnerable sites, including working with industry partners to assess the failure risk in rail embankments and water-retaining earthworks.
There are many ways that these large datasets can be analysed: your PhD could include seismic event location, development of an ‘early warning’ trigger protocol, or integration and interpretation of data in a machine learning framework. The specific direction of the project can be discussed with the project supervision team, depending on your expertise and interest, but an example of the structure of the PhD is outlined below. Whichever direction you take, you will be supported by an expert advisory team including staff from SEE and BGS. You will have access to SEE’s sector-leading stock of geophysical instrumentation, and benefit from networking and training opportunities facilitated by the PANORAMA DTP, SEE’s research institutes and cross-faculty identities including water@leeds.
DAS technology is an emerging and novel technology but is gaining interest in a wide range of engineering and infrasturcture disciplines. The potential for DAS applications in these areas motivates potential support from Atkins and RSK, leading environmental and engineering consultancies.In addition to any funds provided directly to you by these partners to develop the use of DAS for slope stability applications, you will have the opportunity to link in to relevant projects through funded placements, and make sure your work has impact in the engineering community.
In this PhD you will:
– Analyse an existing archive of seismicity and strain, acquired with distributed acoustic sensing at BGS’s Hollin Hill site, and compare this to concurrent seismic and electrical data. The specific deliverables can be agreed based on your specific interests and expertise.
– Using SEE’s distributed sensing systems, acquire new records of strain, temperature and seismicity at Hollin Hill to extend the record of distributed observations at the site. Instrument a site operated by industrial partners and/or BGS with fibre optic cable and initiate a new record of distributed sensing observations.
Key contacts: Dr Adam Booth ([Email Address Removed]), Dr Andy Nowacki ([Email Address Removed])
– Capitalise on the growing academic and industrial interest in fibre optic applications by disseminating your research at relevant inter/national conferences and, where appropriate, in peer-reviewed journal articles.
Applicant background: You should have a strong background either in geophysics or a related discipline (e.g., physics, computer science), and experience of data analysis and computer programming (e.g., in Matlab, Python, etc). You should have a passion for the translation of geophysical theory into practical applications that are of industrial and societal relevance. We expect that, with guidance, you will be able to bring your own ideas and innovations to the analysis of your datasets.
An experienced team will support you as you develop the research skills required to complete the PhD, including technical expertise, research dissemination and professional networking. Based in SEE’s Institute of Applied Geoscience, you can access a range of seminar series and workshops as part of (e.g.) research groups including Applied Geophysics, Seismology and Rock Mechanics, Engineering Geology and Hydrology.
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