Open AccessThe compressibility of sediments and its importance on Flandrian Fenland deposits
Author(s) -
SMITH MICHAEL V.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
boreas
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.95
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1502-3885
pISSN - 0300-9483
DOI - 10.1111/j.1502-3885.1985.tb00883.x
Subject(s) - oedometer test , geology , peat , sediment , compression (physics) , compressibility , paleontology , geomorphology , geotechnical engineering , archaeology , soil science , soil water , materials science , composite material , aerospace engineering , engineering , history
In the Flandrian Fenland sediments of the Nar Valley, Norfolk, an upper clay and thick upper peat overlie lower clay and lower peat units thinning eastwards up the valley. Lithostratigraphic and altitudinal variations in less than thirty metres led to the application of a soil mechanics technique, the oedometer test, to the sediment units in order to estimate amounts of compression and corrections for the altitudinal displacements. The principles and assumptions behind the oedometer test are reviewed and results from compression tests on Flandrian Fenland deposits in the Nar Valley discussed in relation to interpretation of stratigraphic data, especially in terms of reconstruction of former sea levels. Limitations of the technique, particularly with reference to peats, are discussed.