UC Research Profile - University of Canterbury

Mr David Bell

Contact

Department: School of Earth and Environment

Email: david.bell@canterbury.ac.nz

Direct Dial: +64 3 3694490

Office: Beatrice Tinsley Rm 221

Language: English

About

Research / Creative works

Networks

Fields of Research

Engineering geology, particularly slope stability problems and urban planning
Quaternary geology and groundwater studies

Researcher Summary

Slope stability and landslide hazard mitigation, including rockfall studies. Land-use planning, with emphasis on site investigation and geological hazard evaluation. Geotechnical characterisation of hard and soft rocks in relation to engineering construction projects. Loess erodibility and chemical stabilisation of soils. Groundwater resource evaluation and pollution studies. Engineering and environmental aspects of mining projects. Geomorphological studies and landscape development processes. Late Quaternary glacial geology in the southern South Island. Dating and movement history of large schist-derived landslides in Otago.

Subject Area: Disciplines

Earth Sciences: Engineering Geology

Resources

Staff webpage

Research/Scholarly/Creative Works

Ridl RN., Bell DH., Villenueve MC. and Macfarlane DF. (2022) A simple method to model buckling slope instability using continuum numerical models. In The Evolution of Geotech - 25 Years of Innovation: 443-449. http://dx.doi.org/10.1201/9781003188339-57. (Conference Contributions - Published)

Ridl RN., Villenueve MC., Bell DH. and Macfarlane DF. (2021) Mineralogical control on the intact strength of schist in Central Otago, New Zealand. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 833(1) http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/833/1/012037. (Conference Contributions - Published)

Nobes DC., Jol HM., Smith GM. and Bell DH. (2018) Using GPR to Delineate the Porter's Pass Fault at the Acheron Rock Avalanche, New Zealand. In Proceedings GPR 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/ICGPR.2018.8441617. (Conference Contributions - Published)

Winkler S., Bell D., Hemmingsen M., Pedley KL. and Schoch A. (2018) Disestablishing “Glacial Lake Speight”, New Zealand? An example for the validity of detailed geomorphological assessment with the study of mountain glaciations. E&G: Quaternary Science Journal 67: 25-31. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-67-25-2018. (Journal Articles)

Yates K., Fenton CH. and Bell DH. (2018) A review of the geotechnical characteristics of loess and loess-derived soils from Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand. Engineering Geology http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2017.08.001. (Journal Articles)

Forbes E., Trumm D., Bell DH. and Pope J. (2017) Comparison of diversion well substrates for the treatment of acid mine drainage, Bellvue Mine, West Coast, New Zealand. In Proceedings AusIMM Annual Conference: 6. (Conference Contributions - Published)

Jenkinson HGB. and Bell DH. (2017) Underlying failure mechanism and spatial extent of the Omoto Slip, Greymouth, New Zealand. In Proceedings of the 20th New Zealand Geotechnical Symposium: 8. (Conference Contributions - Published)

Pilkington LF. and Bell DH. (2017) Precedent-based Design of Cut Slopes in Airfall Loess Deposits, Port Hills. In Proceedings 19th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Seoul, September 2017. (Conference Contributions - Published)

Ridl R., Villeneuve M. and Bell DH. (2016) Numerical modelling of toe buckling deformation in Haast Schist, Central Otago, New Zealand. In Proceedings of the 11th Australia-New Zealand Young Geotechnical Professionals Conference: 6. (Conference Contributions - Published)

Rother H., Shulmeister J., Fink D., Alexander D. and Bell D. (2015) Surface exposure chronology of the Waimakariri glacial sequence in the Southern Alps of New Zealand: Implications for MIS-2 ice extent and LGM glacial mass balance. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 429: 69-81. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2015.07.033. (Journal Articles)

Stephen-Brownie C., Green M. and Bell DH. (2015) Earthquake-Induced Ground Fissuring and Spring Formation in Foot-Slope Positions and Valley Floor of the Hillsborough Valley, Christchurch, New Zealand. In Proceedings: 8. (Conference Contributions - Published)

Bell D., Brehaut J. and Hemmingsen M. (2013) Earthquake Engineering Geology: Port Hills and Christchurch City (Field Trip 2 24 Nov 2013). Christchurch, New Zealand: Geosciences 2013: Annual Conference of the Geoscience Society of New Zealand, 24-27 Nov 2013. (Conference Contributions - Other)

Holm RJ. and Bell DH. (2013) Sedimentology and structure of the Malvern Hills Coal Mine, Canterbury, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics 56(1): 39-52. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00288306.2012.739566. (Journal Articles)

Bell DH. (2012) Geo-Logic and the Art of Geotechnical Practice. In Proceedings of the 11th Australia-New Zealand Conference on Geomechanics: 593-598. (Conference Contributions - Published)

Hampton SJ., Cole JW. and Bell DH. (2012) Syn-eruptive alluvial and fluvial volcanogenic systems within an eroding Miocene volcanic complex, Lyttelton Volcano, Banks Peninsula, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics 55(1): 53-66. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00288306.2011.632424. (Journal Articles)

Smith GM., Bell DH. and Davies TRH. (2012) The Acheron rock avalanche deposit, Canterbury, New Zealand: Age and implications for dating landslides. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics 55(4): 375-391. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00288306.2012.733947. (Journal Articles)

Cliff D., Bell D., Harvey T., Reczek T. and Reece D. (2011) Pike River Coal Mine Explosion: Investigation for Nature and Cause.Department of Labour (New Zealand). 111pp. (Reports)

Dellow GD., Yetton M., Archibald G., Barrell DJA., Bell D., Bruce Z., Campbell A., Davies T., De Pascale G. and Easton M. (2011) Landslides Caused by the 22 February 2011 Christchurch Earthquake and Management of Landslide Risk in the Immediate Aftermath. Bulletin of the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering 44(4): 227-238. (Journal Articles)

Mackenzie A., Pope J., Weber P., Trumm D. and Bell D. (2011) Characterisation of Fanny Creek catchment acid mine drainage and optimal passive treatment remediation options. In : 281-292. (Conference Contributions - Published)

Shelton R., Bishop L. and Bell D. (2011) Reinstating a One Hundred Year Old Tunnel in the Southern Alps Through Highly Fractured Schist for Hydro Generation. In Proceedings: 223-226. (Conference Contributions - Published)

Lee J., Davies T. and Bell D. (2009) Successive Holocene rock avalanches at Lake Coleridge, Canterbury, New Zealand. Landslides 6(4): 287-297. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10346-009-0163-6. (Journal Articles)

Nash T., Bell D., Davies T. and Nathan S. (2008) Analysis of the formation and failure of Ram Creek landslide dam, South Island, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics 51(3): 187-193. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00288300809509859. (Journal Articles)

Bell D. (2006) Coal resource evaluation MP41372: Malvern Hills Coalfield.Commissioned by Ministry of Economic Development New Zealand. 156pp. (Reports)

Smith GM., Davies TR., McSaveney MJ. and Bell DH. (2006) The Acheron rock avalanche, Canterbury, New Zealand-morphology and dynamics. Landslides 3(1): 62-72. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10346-005-0012-1. (Journal Articles)

Bell DH. and Seale JF. (2004) Settling pond design and performance - the Malvern Hills coal mine experience. Nelson, New Zealand: Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy - New Zealand Branch - 37th Annual Conference, 29 Aug 2004. (Conference Contributions - Other)

Bell DH. (2002) Rockfall Hazard Assessment - Heberden Avenue - Christchurch.1-14. (Reports)

Burrows CJ., Bell D. and Grant H. (2002) Two new radiocarbon ages for mid- and late-Aranui age valley-train deposits of the Franz Josef Glacier, Westland, New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 32(3): 415-425. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03014223.2002.9517701. (Journal Articles)

Burrows CJ., Bell DH. and Grant H. (2002) Two new radiocarbon ages for mid- and lateAranui age valley train deposits for the Franz Josef Glacier, Westland, New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 32(3): 1-11. (Journal Articles)

Bell DH., Richards LR. and Thomson R. (2001) Relic Slip Verification Study - Tauranga District Council Environs.1-66. (Reports)

Richards LR., Peng B. and Bell DH. (2001) Laboratory and field evaluation of the normal coefficient of restitution for rocks. Rock Mechanics - A Challenge for Society. Eurock, Espoo, Finland: Proceedings of ISRM Regional Symposium, 1 Jun 2001. (Conference Contributions - Other)

Bell DH. (2000) Preliminary Engineering Geology Evaluation of Slope Instability along the Ferry Corridor - Picton to Tory Channel.1-27. (Reports)

Bell DH. (2000) Remarkables Skifield Road Instability - Second Report. Research commissioned post-November 1:150 year storm to identify cause(s) of road movement and batter instability.Commissioned by NZTA. 19pp. (Reports)

Bell DH. (2000) Rockfall Hazard Evaluation and Remediation - All Saints Church - Sumner - Christchurch to assess rockfall hazard and remediation for Church site and land.Commissioned by All Saints Church Trustees. 9pp. (Reports)

Bell DH. (2000) Slope Instability Investigations - Coronet Peak Landslide Area.1-8. (Reports)

Bell DH. and Harvey KD. (2000) Engineering Geological and Hydrogeological Aspects of the Taylor Pass Landfill Capping Project. : 27pp. [Final report]. (Other)

Cooper LL. and Bell DH. (2000) Dealing with Natural Hazards on the West Coast of the South Island: A methodology for an Active Plate Margin. Napier, New Zealand: Proceedings of the Natural Hazards Management Conference, 1 Aug 2000. (Conference Contributions - Other)

Bell DH. (1998) Glacial History of Cass. Field Trip Guide No 4. Geological Society of New Zealand Annual Conference, GSNZ Miscellaneous Publication, 1998: 101B. (Conference Contributions - Other)

Bell DH. (1998) Residential Development of Former Quarry Areas on the Port Hills, Christchurch. Proceedings of 31 st NZ Branch Annual Conference, The Aus. IMM, 20 Jun 1998. (Conference Contributions - Other)

Bell DH. and Lines CJ. (1998) Geotechnical and Hydrogeological Assessment of DS3 Pond Area, Lake Grassmere Saltworks, Marlborough.Commissioned by Department of Geology. 1-102. (Reports)

Bell DH. (1997) Gourley and Mackie Properties - Shannon Street - Alexandra.Commissioned by Contact Energy Ltd. 1-10. (Reports)

Bell DH. (1997) Old Bridge Road - Alexandra. In Geotechnical Summary Report - 25, Commissioned by Contact Energy Ltd. 32pp. (Reports)

EGGERS M. and BELL DH. (1995) THE GRAVE EARTHFLOW COMPLEX, SOUTH WESTLAND, NEW-ZEALAND. In Bell DH (Eds). LANDSLIDES: GLISSEMENTS DE TERRAIN, VOL 3: 2153-2163. A A BALKEMA. (Conference Contributions - Published)

Mc Glone MS., Mark AF. and Bell D. (1995) Late Pleistocene and Holocene vegetation history, Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 25(1): 1-22. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03014223.1995.9517480. (Journal Articles)

BELL DH. (1994) SURFACE ENGINEERING GEOLOGY - A REVIEW. In Price DG (Eds). SIXTH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ENGINEERING GEOLOGY: PROCEEDINGS, VOL 5: 3381-3430. A A BALKEMA. (Conference Contributions - Published)

PETTINGA JR. and BELL DH. (1992) ENGINEERING GEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF SLOPE INSTABILITY FOR RURAL LAND-USE, HAWKES BAY, NEW-ZEALAND. In LANDSLIDES, VOLS 1 AND 2: 1467-1480. (Conference Contributions - Published)

Bell DH. and Crampton NA. (1990) Panel report: engineering geological evaluation of tunnelling conditions, Lyttelton-Woolston LPG Project, Christchurch, New Zealand. Proc. 5th International Association of Engineering Geology congress, 1986. Vol. 4 : 2485-2501. (Journal Articles)

Bell DH. and Pettinga JP. (1990) Engineering geology and land-use planning in New Zealand. Proc. 5th International Association of Engineering Geology congress, 1986. Vol. 4 : 2329-2338. (Journal Articles)

Bell DH., Glassey PJ. and Yetton MD. (1990) Chemical stabilisation of dispersive loessial soils, Banks Peninsula, Canterbury, New Zealand. Proc. 5th International Association of Engineering Geology congress, 1986. Vol. 4 : 2193-2208. (Journal Articles)

Bell DH. and Pettinga JR. (1988) Bedding-controlled landslides in New Zealand soft rock terrain. Landslides. Proc. 5th symposium, Lausanne, 1988. Vol. 1 : 77-83. (Journal Articles)

Bell DH. and Wilson DD. (1988) Hazardous waste disposal in New Zealand. Bulletin of the International Association of Engineering Geology - Bulletin de l'Association Internationale de Géologie de l'Ingénieur 37(1): 15-26. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02590367. (Journal Articles)

Bell DH. and Pettinga JR. (1985) Engineering geology and subdivision planning in New Zealand. Engineering Geology 22(1): 45-59. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0013-7952(85)90037-7. (Journal Articles)

REGAN WM., STAPLEDON DH. and BELL DH. (1985) SELECTED TOPICS FROM THE 4TH AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND CONFERENCE ON GEOMECHANICS - PREFACE. ENGINEERING GEOLOGY 22(1): U1-U1. (Journal Articles)

Bell DH. and Pettinga JR. (1984) ENGINEERING GEOLOGY AND SUBDIVISION PLANNING.. In National Conference Publication - Institution of Engineers, Australia(84 /2): 220-227. (Conference Contributions - Published)

Bell DH. (1982) Geomorphic evolution of a valley system: the Kawarau Valley, central Otago.. Landforms of New Zealand : 317-341. (Journal Articles)

Smale D., Van Der Lingen GJ. and Bell DH. (1982) A bedding-plane landslide near Mt Vulcan, north canterbury. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics 25(4): 397-404. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00288306.1982.10421506. (Journal Articles)

Evans GL. and Bell DH. (1981) CHEMICAL STABILISATION OF LOESS, NEW ZEALAND.. Proceedings of the International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering 3: 649-658. (Journal Articles)

Bell DH. (1976) High intensity rainstorms and geological hazards: Cyclone Alison, March 1975, Kaikoura, New Zealand. Bulletin of the International Association of Engineering Geology 13(1): 189-200. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02634795. (Journal Articles)

Bell DH. (1976) Slope evolution and slope stability, Kawarau valley, Central Otago, New Zealand. Bulletin of the International Association of Engineering Geology 13(1): 5-16. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02634752. (Journal Articles)

Review and Refereeing

New Zealand Geotechnical Society Proceedings ( 1997 - 2002)

Affiliations

Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (Aus IMM) (Professional Organisation): Member