Earth mounds construction in York’s Norman castles: implications for current performance and protection

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Publication Title
Earth mounds construction in York’s Norman castles: implications for current performance and protection

Abstract
This paper aims to review the construction technologies that would have likely been adopted in motte and bailey type of castles, in particular those adopted in construction of earth mounds of the Clifford tower and Baile Hill, built circa the 11th century. While Norman builders having presumably rudimentary knowledge of soil behaviour built these structures, their durability compares favourably with more recently built uncontrolled geostructures using heavier plant (e.g., Victorian earth retaining structures and embankments). This seems to suggest that the level of expertise of building with soil may have been greater than it is typically assumed for these periods. A comparison with modern construction techniques adopted in earthworks and influence of vegetation cover is also included in a bid to explain its remarkable durability. Results of a recent non-destructive site investigation campaign carried out at Baile Hill are also included to assist in the assessments of their current performance and evaluate its vulnerability. Some insights on the use of protection measures for enhanced resiliency against climate change are also included.
Authors
Ana Heitor; P. Winslow; E. Yenne; C. MacRae; S. Gandolfi

Published In

18th European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ECSMGE2024)

Theme

C - Risk analysis and safety evaluation

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