An experimental design for laboratory simulation of periglacial solifluction processes

Abstract

An experimental slope of gradient 12" was constructed, comprising two 5 m x 2m x 0.3m contiguous strips of natural soils. Soil freezing and thawing took place from the surface downwards in an open hydraulic system, water being supplied at the base of each soil. Thermal conditions, porewater pressures and soil displacements were monitored using a PC-based logging system, with readings taken at half-hourly intervals. Soil surface displacements due to frost heave and solifluction were measured using linear voltage displacement transducers. Soil temperatures were determined using thermistors and semiconductor temperature sensors. Antifreeze-filled miniature ceramic-tipped pressure transducers were used to determine porewater pressure variations. The potential of this experimental approach for precise. monitoring of mass movement processes associated with thawing of ice-rich soils is demonstrated.

On the origin of rock fragment mulches on Vertisols: A case study from the Ethiopian highlands

“…Another technique consists of visualizing underground creep movements by inclinometers at the surface (Anderson and Finlayson, 1975) or related instruments like the "T" pegs, used by Kirkby (1967). Also electronic creep probes like strain gauges (Auzet et al, 1986) or linear voltage displacement transducers (Harris et al, 1996) have been used in the field and/or in laboratory set ups. Finlayson and Osmaston (1977) use a tube tracer, allowing the measurement of changes between the position of the base and top of the tube by microscopic observation.…”

Influence of Clast Axial Ratio on Macrofabric Strength in Periglacial Colluvium

“…Further work is necessary to establish an optimal range and to ascertain possible relations between fabric strength, axial ratio, clast size and shape, and variations in velocity gradients. Because a large number of variables have the potential to affect fabric characteristics, future research should involve a variety of approaches, including deterministic modeling (Lindsay 1968), laboratory investigations (Harris et al 1996), statistical simulation (Fisher et al 1987), and critical field experiments (Millar and Nelson 2001b).…”

Recent advances in the understanding of Quaternary periglacial features of the English Channel coastlands

“…Periglacial solifluction in areas of seasonal freezing has been simulated in large-scale laboratory experiments using granular non-cohesive soils collected from late Quaternary slope sediments derived from granite, limestone, mudstone and slate in western Normandy, France (Harris et al, 1993(Harris et al, , 1995(Harris et al, , 1996(Harris et al, , 1997. Thus the experiments may provide an approximate analogue for solifluction processes along parts of the English Channel coast.…”