Dr Elisabeth Bowman

School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering

Reader in Geomechanics

Headshot of Lis Bowman
Profile picture of Headshot of Lis Bowman
e.bowman@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 5747
Room C109d, Sir Frederick Mappin Building (Broad Lane Building)

Full contact details

Dr Elisabeth Bowman
School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering
Room C109d
Sir Frederick Mappin Building (Broad Lane Building)
Mappin Street
Sheffield
S1 3JD
Profile

My research is aimed at understanding fundamental physical processes in geotechnical systems in order to improve the resilience of infrastructure such as embankment dams and subsurface pipe networks and to reduce the risk of geotechnical hazards such as landslides.

Dr Elisabeth (Lis) Bowman

I am a Chartered geotechnical engineer (CEng MICE) and researcher working at the interface of geotechnical engineering, geology, granular physics and fluid mechanics.

 

I took my Bachelors degree at the University of Cambridge, then worked for four years as a civil engineer for consultants Gifford in Southampton and London before returning to study for a PhD in geotechnical engineering at Cambridge, focused on the ageing of granular soils and set up of displacement piles. I was subsequently awarded a Royal Academy of Engineering Postdoctoral Fellowship to study the mechanics of rapid landslides at Cambridge, then spent eight years at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand experiencing geology in real time (read: landslides and earthquakes) before returning to the UK to the University of Sheffield.

My research is focused on understanding, thereby mitigating, processes that destabilise soil and enhancing processes that improve soil behaviour, thereby reducing risk for subsurface and near-surface civil infrastructure. Example applications include: measuring and modelling internal erosion in embankment dams and under pipe leakage, quantifying the particulate processes that lead to rapid landslides and developing new models for complex processes such as soil creep and ageing that affect the behaviour of buried infrastructure.

Such diverse problems follow a central theme of investigating the localization of soil constitutive behaviour through material change at the fluid-particle level, informed by experiments and observation at the field scale. Investigative methods include advanced element testing and development of new equipment, physical modelling (via the geotechnical centrifuge and using 1g models) with novel imaging techniques, and field mapping. An important aspect of this approach is assembling and working in multidisciplinary technical teams to tackle problems from a diversity of perspectives particulate, fluid and structural. My group have developed a number of experimental innovations including:

  • transparent soil (refractive index matching) experimental techniques to examine internal erosion and debris flow mechanisms towards improved model outcomes
  • centrifuge methods to handle high speed motion (Coriolis effects) to develop new understanding of rock avalanche and debris flow motion
  • a stress path permeameter and centrifuge permeameter to examine seepage related problems under complex stress states

My work branching into granular physics has been recognised by invited keynote contributions to multidisciplinary events including the Gordon Research Conference on Particulate Systems, USA (2022 & 2024), Salamina Grains Workshop, Italy (2024), Lorentz Center Workshop Image is Everything Netherlands (2023) and GeoFlow2016 on two-phase continua, Max Planck Institute (MPIPKS), Germany (2016). I have been an Associate Editor for Canadian Geotechnical Journal since 2013 and previously sat on the Royal Academy of Engineerings Industrial Fellowship Steering Committee (2016-2020) and Research Committee (2020-2023). On the engineering practice side, I currently act as the Geotechnical Lead on the Reservoir Safety Research Advisory Group (ResRAG) under the aegis of the British Dam Society and I am also the university liaison for the Yorkshire Geotechnical Group.

I currently teach the final year Meng / MSc Geotechnical Infrastructure module focused on putting soil mechanics into practice for design and appraisal of dams, levees and tunnels. I previously taught the second year geotechnical module, for which I received the 2022 Vice-Chancellor's Award for Teaching Practice in the Faculty of Engineering.

Research interests

Resilient Infrastructure

  • Climate change effects on geotechnical infrastructure
  • Slopes, embankment dams, flood defences etc.
  • Subsurface pipe networks
  • Displacement piles; anchor

Geohazards

  • Debris flows
  • Rock avalanches
  • Sinkholes in gypsiferous soils

Experimental Techniques

  • Physical modelling using geotechnical centrifuge (hypergravity) techniques
  • Transparent soils (refractive index matching) and non-intrusive physical modelling
  • Flume modelling and scaling for debris flows
  • Rigid and flexible walls permeameter development for internal erosion
  • Hole Erosion Test development

Current research:

(15th Feb 2024 to 15th Feb 2025)
Publications

Journal articles

  • John EDA, Boxall JB, Collins RP, Bowman ET & Susmel L (2026) . International Journal of Fatigue, 202.
  • Zhao Y, Bowman ET, Zhou GGD, Cui KFE, Xie Y & Lu X (2025) . Physics of Fluids, 37(9).
  • Gamble AS, Murison RA, Bowman ET & Gaspar TAV (2025) . E3S Web of Conferences, 642(04007).
  • Zuccarini A, Vasu NN, Banks VJ, Bowman ET, Leonardi A & Berti M (2025) . Landslides, 22(7), 2413-2432.
  • John EDA, Boxall JB, Collins RP, Bowman ET & Susmel L (2025) . Experimental Mechanics, 65(5), 605-623.
  • Stevenson R & Bowman E (2025) . Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 151(2).
  • Kimball JM, Bowman ET, Gray JMNT & Take WA (2025) . Landslides, 22(3), 785-801.
  • John E, Boxall J, Collins R, Bowman E & Susmel L (2024) . Engineering Failure Analysis, 165.
  • John E, Boxall J, Collins R, Bowman E & Susmel L (2024) . Engineering Integrity Journal of the Engineering Integrity Society, 56, 12-17.
  • Meng X, Taylor-Noonan AM, Johnson CG, Take WA, Bowman ET & Gray JMNT (2024) . Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 980.
  • Zhao Y, Take WA, Kaitna R, McArdell BW, McElwaine JN & Bowman ET (2024) . Granular Matter, 26(1).
  • John E, Boxall J, Collins R, Bowman E & Susmel L (2024) . International Journal of Fatigue, 178.
  • Hill J, Rush G, Peakall J, Johnson M, Hodson L, Barlow NLM, Bowman ET, Gehrels WR, Hodgson DM & Kesserwani G (2023) . The Depositional Record, 9(4), 1046-1065.
  • Sanvitale N, Zhao BD, Bowman ET & O'Sullivan C (2023) . 勞矇棗喧梗釵堯紳勳梁喝梗, 73(1), 71-88.
  • TaylorNoonan AM, Bowman ET, McArdell BW, Kaitna R, McElwaine JN & Take WA (2022) . Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, 127(12).
  • Taylor-Noonan AM, Gollin D, Bowman ET & Take WA (2021) . Granular Matter, 23(4).
  • Sanvitale N, Bowman E & Cabrera MA (2021) . Environmental and Engineering Geoscience, 27(1), 127-138.
  • Kaitna R, Shuai L, Taylor-Noonan A, Take WA, McArdell B, McElwaine J & Bowmann E (2020) . EGU General Assembly 2020 Abstracts.
  • Take WA, Bowman E & Askarinejad A (2020) . International Journal of Physical Modelling in Geotechnics, 20(4), 175-176.
  • Tatarniuk C & Bowman ET (2019) . Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 52(3), 386-398.
  • Yusa M, Bowman E & Cubrinovski M (2019) . European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering, 25(4), 737-756.
  • Bowman E & Hunter RP (2018) . 勞矇棗喧梗釵堯紳勳梁喝梗, 68(10), 918-930.
  • Gollin D, Berzi D & Bowman E (2017) . Granular Matter, 19(56).
  • Gollin D, Brevis W, Bowman E & Shepley P (2017) . Granular Matter, 19.
  • Sanvitale N & Bowman ET (2017) . Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 54(2), 258-269.
  • Luo G, Hu X, Bowman ET & Liang J (2017) . Landslides, 1-16.
  • Sanvitale N & Bowman ET (2016) . Granular Matter, 18(3).
  • Turnbull B, Bowman ET & McElwaine JN (2015) . Comptes Rendus Physique, 16(1), 86-96.
  • Bryant SK, Take WA & Bowman ET (2015) . Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 52(5), 638-655.
  • Bryant SK, Take WA, Bowman ET & Millen MDL (2015) . Geotechnique, 65(3), 188-200.
  • Bowman ET & Take WA (2014) . Landslides.
  • Jackson P, Bowman ET & Cubrinovski M (2012) Seismic testing of model-scale geosynthetic reinforced soil walls. Bulletin of the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering, 45(4).
  • Sanvitale N & Bowman ET (2012) . International Journal of Physical Modelling in Geotechnics, 12(4), 129-142.
  • Rait KL, Bowman ET & Lambert C (2012) . Geotechnique Letters, 2(7-9), 167-172.
  • Bowman ET, Take WA, Rait KL & Hann C (2012) . Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 49(4), 460-476.
  • Pender M, Wotherspoon L, Cubrinovski M, Bowman E & Orense R (2012) . Geotechnique Letters, 2(4-6), 49-53.
  • Bowman ET, Jackson P, Cubrinovski M & Fannin RJ (2011) . Geotechnique Letters, 1(3), 53-57.
  • Acharya G, Cochrane T, Davies T & Bowman E (2011) . Geomorphology, 129(1-2), 49-58.
  • Kailey P, Bowman ET, Laue J & Springman SM (2011) . Italian Journal of Engineering Geology and Environment, 13(International Conference on Debris-Flow Hazards Mitigation: Mechanics, Prediction, and Assessment, Proceedings), 339-349.
  • Sanvitale N, Bowman ET & Genevois R (2011) . Italian Journal of Engineering Geology and Environment, 13(International Conference on Debris-Flow Hazards Mitigation: Mechanics, Prediction, and Assessment, Proceedings), 375-384.
  • Cubrinovski M, Green RA, Allen J, Ashford S, Bowman E, Brendon , Bradley , Cox B, Hutchinson T, Kavazanjian E , Orense R et al (2010) . Bulletin of the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering, 43(4), 243-320.
  • Bowman ET, Laue J, Imre B & Springman SM (2010) . Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 47(7), 742-762.
  • Acharya G, Cochrane TA, Davies T & Bowman E (2009) . Engineering Geology, 109(3-4), 161-169.
  • Fannin J & Bowman E (2007) Debris flows - entrainment, deposition and travel distance. Geotechnical 壅翌腦瞳, 25(4), 43-46.
  • Bowman ET & Soga K (2005) . Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 42(5), 1391-1407.
  • Bowman ET & Soga K (2003) . Soils and Foundations, 43(4), 107-117.
  • Bowman ET, Soga K & Drummond W (2001) . 勞矇棗喧梗釵堯紳勳梁喝梗, 51(6), 545-554.
  • Bowman ET, Soga K & Drummond W (2001) . Geotechnique, 51(6), 545-554.
  • Sanvitale N, Gheller C & Bowman E () . Granular Matter, 24.
  • Bowman ET () . Frattura ed Integrit Strutturale, 8(30), 7-13.

Book chapters

  • Bowman ET (2022) , Landslide Hazards, Risks, and Disasters (pp. 439-477). Elsevier
  • Gaber F & Bowman ET (2019) , Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering (pp. 50-59). Springer International Publishing
  • Rait KL & Bowman ET (2018) , Landslides and Engineered Slopes. Experience, Theory and Practice (pp. 1707-1714). CRC Press
  • Bowman ET & Take WA (2018) , Landslide Dynamics: ISDR-ICL Landslide Interactive Teaching Tools (pp. 297-314). Springer International Publishing
  • Bovenga F, Bowman ET, Brideau M-A, Clague JJ, Crosta GB, Davies T, Delcamp A, Deline P, Hewitt K, Korup O , McColl ST et al (2015) , Landslide Hazards, Risks, and Disasters (pp. ix-ix). Elsevier
  • Bowman ET (2015) , Landslide Hazards, Risks, and Disasters (pp. 405-439). Elsevier
  • Bowman ET (2015) , Landslide Hazards Risks and Disasters (pp. 405-439).
  • (2010) , Physical Modelling in Geotechnics, Two Volume Set (pp. 1303-1308). CRC Press
  • Cubrinovski M, Rees S & Bowman E (2010) In Garevski M & Ansal A (Ed.), Earthquake Engineering in Europe. Geotechnical, Geological and Earthquake Engineering (pp. 125-144). London & New York: Springer

Conference proceedings

  • John E, Boxall J, Collins R, Bowman E & Susmel L (2024) . Engineering Proceedings, Vol. 69(1). Ferrara, Italy, 1 July 2024 - 1 July 2024.
  • John E, Boxall J, Collins R, Bowman E & Susmel L (2024) Experimental validation of a model for predicting the bending fatigue strength of corroded grey cast iron water pipes. Proceedings of the 9th Engineering Integrity Society International Conference on Durability & Fatigue, Vol. 2 (pp 482-493). Cambridge, UK, 19 June 2024 - 19 June 2024.
  • Bowman E, Kaitna R, McArdell B, McElwaine J, Sanvitale N, Take WA, Taylor-Noonan A & Zhao Y (2021) The Rosetta Stone project integrating experimental results on debris flow mechanics across the scales : first results. XIII International Symposium on Landslides. Virtual conference, 22 February 2021 - 22 February 2021.
  • Bowman ET, Kaitna R, McArdell B, McElwaine J, Sanvitale N, Take WA, Taylor-Noonan A & Zhao Y (2021) The Rosetta Stone Project Integrating experimental results on debris flow mechanics across the scales: first results. 13th Landslides and Engineered Slopes Experience Theory and Practice Isl
  • Crawford-Flett KA, Eldridge JJ, Bowman ET & Gordon C (2019) Interpretation of internal erosion susceptibility in a New Zealand canal embankment. Proceedings of the NZSOLD ANCOLD 2019 Combined Conference : Resilient Dams & Levees for Resilient Communities. Auckland, New Zealand, 9 October 2019 - 9 October 2019.
  • Sanvitale N, Bowman E & Cabrera MA (2019) Small scale impact on rigid barrier using transparent debris-flow models. Debris Flow Hazards Mitigation Mechanics Monitoring Modeling and Assessment Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Debris Flow Hazards Mitigation (pp 1035-1042)
  • Sanvitale N, Williams GB & Bowman ET (2019) . 17th European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering Ecsmge 2019 Proceedings
  • Sanvitale N, Bowman ET & Black JA (2018) . Internal Erosion in Earthdams, Dikes and Levees : Proceedings of EWGIE 26th Annual Meeting 2018, Vol. 1(17) (pp 91-97). Milan, Italy, 10 September 2018 - 10 September 2018.
  • Cabrera M, Kailey P, Bowman ET & Wu W (2018) (pp 1075-1080)
  • Gaber F & Bowman ET (2018) (pp 377-382)
  • Gollin D & Bowman ET (2017) . EPJ Web of Conferences, Vol. 140. Montpelier, France, 3 July 2017 - 3 July 2017.
  • Yusa M, Bowman ET & Cubrinovski M (2017) . EPJ Web of Conferences, Vol. 140. Montpelier, France, 3 July 2017 - 3 July 2017.
  • Take WA, Bowman ET & Yune CY (2017) General report: Slope stability in engineering practice. Icsmge 2017 19th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Vol. 2017-September (pp 2083-2086)
  • Rait K & Bowman E (2016) . Landslides and Engineered Slopes. Experience, Theory and Practice Proceedings of the 12th International Symposium on Landslides. Napoli, Italy, 12 June 2016 - 12 June 2016.
  • Gollin D, Bowman E & Shepley P (2015) Granular temperature measurements of uniform granular flows. Deformation Characteristics of Geomaterials. Buenos Aires, Argentina, 15 November 2015 - 15 November 2015.
  • Loh K, Bowman E & Cubrinovski M (2015) The influence of surcharging on deformation of 1g models of GRS walls under seismic excitation. Proceedings of 6th International Conference on Earthquake Geotechnical Engineering(813). Christchurch, New Zealand, 1 November 2015 - 1 November 2015.
  • Hunter RP & Bowman ET (2015) Visualisation of internal erosion of a granular material via a new transparent soil permeameter. Geotechnical Engineering for Infrastructure and Development Proceedings of the Xvi European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering Ecsmge 2015, Vol. 4 (pp 1965-1970)
  • Gollin D, Bowman E & Shepley P (2015) . Iop Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science, Vol. 26(1)
  • Sanvitale N & Bowman E (2014) (pp 1553-1558)
  • Bowman ET & Susmel L (2014) . Procedia Materials Science, Vol. 3 (pp 562-567)
  • Bowman ET, Sanvitale N & Bird JJ (2014) Looking inside a debris flow. Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol. 16 (pp EGU2014-12056). Vienna, 28 April 2014 - 2 May 2014.
  • Bowman ET (2014) Mechanisms of large rock avalanche propagation. Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol. 16 (pp EGU2014-12282). Vienna, 28 April 2014 - 2 May 2014.
  • Bird JJ & Bowman ET (2014) A comparison of internal and external flow behaviour of laboratory-scale debris flows. Physical Modelling in Geotechnics - Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics 2014, ICPMG 2014, Vol. 2 (pp 1171-1177). Perth, 14 January 2014 - 17 January 2014.
  • Yusa M & Bowman ET (2013) . Aip Conference Proceedings, Vol. 1542 (pp 293-296)
  • Yusa M & Bowman ET (2013) . 18th Southeast Asia Geotechnical Conference (18SEAGC) Challenges in Sustainable Geotechnical Infras. Singapore, 29 May 2013 - 31 May 2013.
  • Bowman ET & Fannin RJ (2013) General report of TC 208: Slope stability in engineering practice. 18th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering Challenges and Innovations in Geotechnics Icsmge 2013, Vol. 3 (pp 2137-2144)
  • Tatarniuk C & Bowman ET (2012) . Geotechnical Special Publication(228 GSP) (pp 471-482)
  • Rait KL, Bowman ET & Lambert C (2012) Modelling the shearing behaviour of sturzstrom. Landslides and Engineered Slopes Protecting Society Through Improved Understanding Proceedings of the 11th International and 2nd North American Symposium on Landslides and Engineered Slopes 2012 (pp 883-888)
  • Tatarniuk CM & Bowman ET (2012) Two dimensional numerical modelling of landslide stabilizing deep soil mixed columns. Landslides and Engineered Slopes Protecting Society Through Improved Understanding Proceedings of the 11th International and 2nd North American Symposium on Landslides and Engineered Slopes 2012, Vol. 2 (pp 1653-1758)
  • Davies MCR, Pender MJ, Orense RP, Wotherspoon L, Cubrinovski M & Bowman ET (2011) . Geotechnical Engineering for Disaster Mitigation and Rehabilitation and Highway Engineering 2011 (pp 74-77)
  • Rait KL, Bowman ET & Hann C (2011) Removing the Coriolis effect from centrifuge model data of high-speed rock avalanche spreading. Computer Methods for Geomechanics Frontiers and New Applications, Vol. 1 (pp 483-488)
  • Davies MCR, Bowman ET & White DJ (2010) . Physical Modelling in Geotechnics Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics 2010 Icpmg 2010, Vol. 1 (pp 3-22)
  • Rait KL & Bowman ET (2010) Dynamic fragmentation in rock avalanches: A numerical model of micromechanical behaviour. Numerical Methods in Geotechnical Engineering Proceedings of the 7th European Conference on Numerical Methods in Geotechnical Engineering (pp 435-440)
  • Kailey P, Bowman E & Massey C (2010) Field investigation of small debris flow events in New Zealand mountain catchments. Auckland: CRC Press.. Geologically Active: Proceedings of the 11th IAEG Congress. Auckland, New Zealand, 5 September 2010 - 10 September 2010.
  • Sanvitale N, Genevois R & Bowman ET (2010) . Physical Modelling in Geotechnics Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics 2010 Icpmg 2010, Vol. 2 (pp 1279-1284)
  • Davies MCR, Bowman ET & White DJ (2010) Physical modelling of natural hazards. PHYSICAL MODELLING IN GEOTECHNICS, VOLS. 1 AND 2 (pp 3-22)
  • Sanvitale N, Genevois R & Bowman ET (2010) Optical investigation through a flowing saturated granular material. PHYSICAL MODELLING IN GEOTECHNICS, VOLS 1 AND 2 (pp 1277-1282)
  • Bowman ET & Sanvitale N (2009) . Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering the Academia and Practice of Geotechnical Engineering, Vol. 1 (pp 470-473)
  • Bowman E & Davies TRH (2008) The recognition and identification of debris flow hazards for proposed development sites in New Zealand. Proceedings of the 18 NZGS Geotechnical Symposium on Soil-Structure Interaction(34). Auckland, 4 September 2008 - 4 September 2008.
  • Bowman ET, Imre B, Laue J & Springman SM (2007) Geotechnical centrifuge modelling of debris flows. International Conference on Debris Flow Hazards Mitigation Mechanics Prediction and Assessment Proceedings (pp 229-239)
  • Bowman ET (2006) A note on the micromechanics of long runout rock avalanches. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Geomechanics and Geotechnics of Particulate Media Geomechanics and Geotechnics of Particulate Media (pp 409-414)
  • Bowman ET, Laue J, Imre B, Zweidler A & Springman SM (2006) Debris flows in a geotechnical centrifuge. Physical Modelling in Geotechnics 6th Icpmg 06 Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics, Vol. 1-2 (pp 311-316)
  • Rombi J, Pooley EJ & Bowman ET (2006) Factors influencing granular debris flow behaviour: An experimental investigation. Physical Modelling in Geotechnics 6th Icpmg 06 Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics, Vol. 1-2 (pp 379-384)
  • Bowman ET & Soga K (2005) The influence of particle shape on the stress-strain and creep response of a fine silica sand. Powders and Grains 2005 Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Micromechanics of Granular Media, Vol. 2 (pp 1325-1328)
  • Bowman ET & Soga K (2002) Time effects in creep of sands. Constitutive and Centrifuge Modelling: Two Extremes (pp 259-265)
  • Cheng YP, White DJ, Bowman ET, Bolton MD & Soga K (2001) The observation of soil microstructure under load. Powders and Grains 2001 (pp 69-72)
  • John E, Boxall J, Collins R & Bowman E () . Proceedings of the 21st Computing and Control in the Water Industry Conference, 1 September 2025 - 3 September 2025.
  • John EDA, Boxall J, Collins R, Bowman E & Susmel L () . Proceedings - 2nd International Join Conference on Water Distribution System Analysis (WDSA)& Computing and Control in the Water Industry (CCWI), 18 July 2022 - 22 July 2022.
  • Williams G, Banks V, Bowman E, Cooper A, Jones L, Kirkham M, Morgan D & Shepley P () . Proceedings Of The 16th Multidisciplinary Conference On Sinkholes And The Engineering And Environmental Impacts Of Karst, 12 April 2021 - 16 April 2021.

Other

  • Nichols H, Leonardi A & Bowman E (2025) .
  • Zuccarini A, Ioriatti E, Redaelli M, Albertelli L, Reguzzoni M, Reguzzoni E, Nedumpallile Vasu N, Banks V, Bowman E, Leonardi A & Berti M (2025) .
  • Kimball J, Bowman E, Gray N & Take A (2023) .
  • Williams G, Bowman E, Bau D & Banks V (2023) .

Preprints

  • Taylor-Noonan AM, Bowman E, McArdell B, Kaitna R, McElwaine J & Take A (2022) , Wiley.
  • Taylor-Noonan AM, Bowman E, McArdell B, Kaitna R, McElwaine J & Take A (2022) , Wiley.
Research group

Geotechnical centrifuges

Earthquake Engineering Group

Grants

Past Grants 

Particle-Scale Investigation of Seepage Induced Geotechnical Instability

Awareness is growing that seepage forces imparted on individual particles can preferentially erode the smaller particles in sandy soils. There can be significant internal erosion of the soil under scenarios that are considered safe according to the classical continuum calculations used in engineering practice; this phenomenon is called internal instability.

The Rosetta Stone Network: Physical testing towards a common unstanding of debris flow

This project aims to create a Rosetta Stone of communication between the disciplines through physical tests undertaken with common material characteristics, informed by monitored field events, leading to improved numerical models.

PhD opportunities

If you're interested a PhD project, please contact Lis at the above email. Current PhD opportunities in the department can be viewed here.

Links