SOFT ROCK ENGINEERING IN THE CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND

Approximately one-third of the area of the North Island of New Zealand is formed from soft sedimentary rocks of Tertiary age. The geological setting of these soft rocks is outlined, together with some aspects of their engineering geology. A brief description is given of an active landslide which continues to affect the North Island Main Trunk Railway. A more detailed description is given of a 25 m deep cutting and a 50 m high railway embankment currently under construction. Questions raised include an apparent discrepancy between the (low) strengths measured in the laboratory on sieved recompacted sandstones/siltstones, and the satisfactory performance of existing embankments.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Presented at the 2nd Australia-New Zealand Conference of Geomechanics in Brisbane, Australia, July 21-25, 1975.
• Corporate Authors:

  Institution of Engineers

  Science House, Gloucester and Essex Streets
  Sydney,   Australia 
• Authors:
  • Hawley, J G
• Publication Date: 1975

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 201-206
• Serial:
  • Institution of Engineers (Australia) Natl Conf Pub
  • Issue Number: 75/4
  • Publisher: Institution of Engineers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Embankments; Excavations; Geological events; Landslides; Soil stabilization; Soil tests
• Old TRIS Terms: Embankment stabilization; Geological conditions
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00148621
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Engineering Index
• Report/Paper Numbers: Conf Paper
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 15 1977 12:00AM