Foreword

Acknowledgements

Dedication

Chapter 1 Introduction to engineering geology and geomorphology of glaciated and periglaciated terrains

1.1 Introduction

1.2 A history of engineering difficulties in formerly glaciated and periglaciated terrain

1.3 The Working Party

1.4 Scope of the report

1.5 Structure of the book and its contents

1.6 Using the Working Party book

References

Chapter 2 The Quaternary

2.1 Introduction

2.3 Resulting subdivision and timing of the Quaternary

2.4 The depositional record of sea-level changes in glaciated terrains

2.5 Terrestrial sedimentary response to Quaternary climatic fluctuations

2.6 Implications for engineering geology

References

Chapter 3 Geomorphological framework: glacial and periglacial sediments, structures and landforms

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Terrain evaluation

3.3 Terrain classification

3.4 Engineering geological, glacial and periglacial ground models

3.5 Glaciogenic sediment descriptors

3.6 Periglacial sediment descriptors

3.7 Macrostructural, erosional and sediment architectural element descriptors

3.8 Microstructures in glacial and periglacial sediments

3.9 Terrain unit descriptors

3.10 Glacial landsystems

3.11 Periglacial landsystems

3.12 Slope failures in glaciated and periglaciated terrains

Photo credits

References

Chapter 4 Conceptual glacial ground models: British and Irish case studies

4.1 Introduction and rationale

4.2 Ice-sheet-related landsystems

4.3 Upland glacial landsystems (hard bedrock terrain)

4.4 Glaciofluvial sediment–landform associations

4.5 Subaqueous glacial depositional sequences

4.6 Conclusions: reconciling landsystems and domains

References

Chapter 5 Periglacial and permafrost ground models for Great Britain

5.1 Introduction and rationale

5.2 Lowland periglacial terrains

5.3 Upland periglacial terrains

5.4 Conclusions

References

Chapter 6 Material properties and geohazards

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Ice-related terrains: subglacial, supraglacial and glaciated valley

6.3 Water-related domains (fluvial, lacustrine and marine): glaciofluvial, glaciolacustrine and glaciomarine

6.4 Ice-front-related terrains: glaciotectonic and ice marginal

6.5 Upland periglacial terrains

6.6 Lowland periglacial terrains

6.7 Local geohazards

6.8 Regional geohazards

6.9 Summary and conclusions

Appendix 6.1 Summary description of British till formations and members

Appendix 6.2 Additional Geotechnical Plots

Appendix 6.3 Particle Size Distribution and SPT ‘N’ Value Depth Plots by 100 km Grid Square

References

Chapter 7 Engineering investigation and assessment

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Preliminaries

7.3 Near-surface geophysics

7.4 Soil and rock descriptions

7.5 Ground investigation

7.6 Hydrogeological investigation

7.7 Engineering ground model

7.8 Conclusion

References

Chapter 8 Design and construction considerations

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Earthworks and man-made slopes

8.3 Tunnels and underground structures

8.4 Dams and reservoirs

8.5 Foundations

8.6 Offshore engineering and installation

8.7 Summary and key conclusions

References

Chapter 9 Conclusions and illustrative case studies

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Case studies

9.3 Conclusions

References

Index

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In 2010 the Engineering Geology Group set up a steering committee to review the current state of knowledge and art arising from former Quaternary periglacial and glacial ground conditions. The instruction was to provide a book with a strong emphasis on practical interpretation, while being concise and digestible. This book is the result. It is quite simply a tour de force, a clear and complete synthesis of the combined disciplines of geomorphology, geotechnics and geology as they relate to glacial and periglacial terrains, rolled up into one rather handy bible. Mission accomplished! The scope of the book follows a systematic description of types of sediments, structures, landforms and geomorphology of such terrains. This forms one third of the book, and amounts to an atlas and framework or ‘architecture’ of unconsolidated soils: a very significant undertaking. It has excellent photography and abundant cross referencing, to allow the practitioner to follow up a line of observation and reasoning. This is followed by a detailed description of ground models, material properties and potential geohazards. In turn this provides a basis of specification for engineering investigation and assessment, design and construction considerations. This is accompanied by a variety of illustrative case studies taken from various parts of the world. The central tenet of the work is that, through a conceptual ground-model approach, practitioners will be able to predict the likely materials that are liable to be encountered. Although, be warned, one can always find ways of seeing what one is expecting to see! The language used is particularly noteworthy, as each of the disciplines has erstwhile evolved different terminologies; here, there has been an attempt to reconcile some of those differences. The result is both detailed and succinct, an example of a writing technique for other specialists to follow. Examples are mainly taken from previously published sources, dominantly British and European; but there are some from North America and elsewhere, covering the Northern Hemisphere down to 40 degrees North; but the antipodes are not ignored. In my view any geologist, engineering geologist or geotechnical specialist who is engaged in practical fieldwork, or the commissioning and interpretation of site investigation reports, ought to be making arrangements to place a copy of this book at their elbow.

Reviewed by Arthur Tingley, Geoscientist Vol 28, May 2018.