Coastal cliff rock mass weakening of Chalk and the impact of salt water

Abstract

The relationship between salt water and the strength of Chalk forming the coastal cliffs of northwest Europe was investigated. Uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) tests on core samples from three horizontal boreholes drilled at the base of Chalk cliffs in East Sussex, UK, showed the weakest Chalk to be near the cliff face. The UCS nearly doubled over the length of the 9 m deep boreholes. The UCS results were close to values expected for Chalk of this intact dry density for samples farthest from the cliff face. High chloride concentrations (salt water) of up to 69 000 mg/l were found to be associated with the lowest UCS values closest to the cliff face. Lower chloride concentrations, with values of 1850 mg/l or less and often with a non-marine origin, were found in the stronger core samples. It can be concluded that the Chalk coastal cliffs in the areas tested became weaker towards the cliff face. This can, in part, be linked to salt water weakening although it is likely that other factors are also contributing to this phenomenon.