Geomechanical properties of New Zealand soft sedimentary rocks

Геомеханические свойства мягких осадочных пород Новой Зеландии
S.A.L. Read, PJ Millar, Tom S. White, BW Riddolls
2026-03-26

New Zealand soft sedimentary rocksembankment stabilitygeomechanical propertiessandstone, mudstone and limestoneslabbing and slaking
Much of New Zealand is composed of relatively soft sandstone, mudstone and limestone of Tertiary and early Quaternary age. These are traversed by main transportation routes and rivers of hydro-electric potential and contain reserves of lignite and coal. Problems associated with roading, typically cut slopes which fail by slabbing or slaking, and the long term stability of embankments, have led to the investigation of the engineering properties of these materials in the field and laboratory.
1
Long-term embankment stability is a significant engineering concern in these soft rocks.
2
New Zealand contains extensive soft Tertiary and early Quaternary sandstone, mudstone, and limestone with significant infrastructure and resource relevance.
3
Road cut slopes in these materials commonly fail through slabbing or slaking.
4
The study investigates their engineering properties through both field and laboratory investigations.
5
These soft sedimentary rocks are encountered along major transportation routes, hydro-electric rivers, and lignite and coal reserves.

New Zealand soft sedimentary rocks, including Tertiary and early Quaternary sandstone, mudstone, and limestone

Their engineering and geomechanical properties relevant to cut-slope failure by slabbing or slaking and the long-term stability of embankments

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Publication Date
2026-03-26
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Authors
S.A.L. Read
PJ Millar
Tom S. White
BW Riddolls
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