scope:

This guidance applies to both cuttings and embankments formed in all materials typically encountered on the network.

This guide is intended for earth structures up to approximately 8m in height - earth structures larger than this may require more detailed site-specific investigation, monitoring and assessment to determine appropriate parameters.

Note: A section is included relating to chalk cuttings. However, these should be assessed on a site-specific basis and designers should refer to Chalk Cutting Stability Assessment Report and LU report "Metropolitan Line Chalk Cuttings, Technical Review".

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to provide guidance for geotechnical engineers assessing the stability of earth structures on the London Underground (LU) network.