Projections of climate change on the behaviour of clays in the UK

Hotter drier summers may result in reduced pore water pressures and contribute to improved slope stability (Springman et al. 2013). Cyclic changes in water content in the surface layers of clay slopes will result in corresponding cyclic changes in pore water pressure. These can cause strain softening to occur, starting from the toe of the slope (Take & Bolton, 2004; Nyambayo et al. 2004; O’Brien et al. 2004; Vaughan et al. 2004). Over a period of several years, these cycles of pore pressure can result in progressive failure (Rouania et al. 2009).