Engineering properties of chalk with regards to cliff slope stability: Mechanical properties of chalk and the impact of weathering on the UCS and tensile strength

Coastal chalk cliff instability is a major issue in the UK’s southern region. In order to further the understanding into what drives and influences chalk cliff collapse, a series of laboratory tests have been done on samples taken from West Melbury Marly Chalk, Seaford Chalk, Newhaven Chalk and Lewes Nodular Chalk. Tests have been done to find out if there is anisotropy in permeability, what the influence of weathering is on the tensile strength and what the influence of sea water cycles on the UCS strength is. No anisotropy permeability has been found. Significant weakening has been found due to progressive mass-loss from dissolution in vinegar. No weakening from salt water cycles has been found. Between the grey chalk and white chalk subgroups, big differences exist in the behaviour when exposed to weathering