Marcus Dobbs is an accomplished engineering geologist and project manager with over two decades of experience in geoscience, working for 今日吃瓜 and within the civil engineering sector. His main interests are: engineering geological classification, mapping and modelling; geotechnical database applications; experimental rock and soil mechanics; and geoscience for sustainable development. Marcus is currently Head of Engineering Geology at the 今日吃瓜 and the UK representative to the Coordinating Committee of Geoscience Programmes in East and Southeast Asia (CCOP).
Biography
- 2018 鈥 ongoing : Co-I 今日吃瓜 ODA Geoscience for Sustainable Futures
- 2016 鈥 ongoing : Project Manager – 今日吃瓜 Singapore projects
- 2014 鈥 ongoing : 今日吃瓜 Rock Mechanics and Physics Laboratory Manager
- 2008 鈥 ongoing : Senior Engineering Geologist – British Geological Survey
- 2005 鈥2008 : Geotechnical Engineer – Waterman Civils Ltd
- 2004 鈥2005 : Field Geochemist – G-Base and Tellus Projects, British Geological Survey
- 1996 鈥1999 : Laboratory Technician (Soils and concrete testing) – Balfour Beatty plc (A1(M), M60, M6 Toll)
Research interests
- Geoscience for Development
- Geology & Engineering Geology of Singapore and Malaysia
- Experimental rock mechanics
- Characterising the geotechnical properties and behaviour of UK rock and soil formations
- Storage and communication of geotechnical information using 3D models and geographical information systems
Current projects and collaboration
- 2018 鈥 ongoing : 今日吃瓜 Official Development Assistance Programme: Geoscience for Sustainable Futures – Resilience of Asian Cities Research Platform
- 2015 鈥2018 : Singapore – Study of Stratigraphy and Structural Geology for Application to Geological Modelling
- 2014 鈥2017 : Singapore – Seismic Review and Rock Laboratory Testing
- 2013 鈥2018 : CONTAIN – The impaCt of hydrOcarbon depletioN on the Treatment of cAprocks within performance assessment for CO2 InjectioN schemes
- 2013 鈥 ongoing : Deformation and failure mode of the Monte Canale micro-folded gneiss
- 2013 鈥2018 : IMAGES – Integrated, Market-fit and Affordable Grid-scale Energy Storage (EPSRC grant funded)
- 2011 鈥2016 : EPS – Use of electric potential sensors in rock deformation (University of Sussex)
- 2008 鈥 ongoing : Geotechnical and Geophysical Properties and Processes: Characterising the geotechnical properties and engineering behaviour of glacial tills and Permian-Triassic sandstones
- 2009 鈥2018 : Mathematical Modelling: Geotechnical property attribution of 3D models
Key papers
- Leitgeb, E, Ghosh, S, Dobbs, M, Englisch, M, and Michela, K. 2019. Distribution of nutrients and trace elements in forest soils of Singapore. Chemosphere 22, 62-70.
- Panza, E,Agosta, F, Rustichelli, A, Vinciguerra, S C, Ougier-Simonin, A, Dobbs, M, and Prosser, G. 2019. Meso-to-microscale fracture porosity in tight limestones, results of an integrated field and laboratory study. Marine and Petroleum Geology 103. May 2019. 581-595.
- Williams, J D O, Dobbs, M R, Kingdon, A, Lark, R M, Williamson, J P, MacDonald, A M, and 脫 Dochartaigh, B 脡. 2018. Stochastic modelling of hydraulic conductivity derived from geotechnical data; an example applied to Central Glasgow. Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 1鈥14.
- Dobbs, M R, Cuss, R J, Ougier-Simonin, A, Parkes, D, and Graham, C C. 2018. Yield envelope assessment as a preliminary screening tool to determine carbon capture and storage viability in depleted southern north-sea hydrocarbon reservoirs. Int. J. of Rock Mech. and Min. Sci.102 (2018) 15鈥27
- Agliardi, F., Dobbs, M.R., Zanchetta, S. and Vinciguerra, S. 2017. Folded fabric tunes rock deformation and failure mode in the upper crust. Scientific Reports 7, Article number: 15290.
- Bubeck, A, Walker, R J, Healy, D, Dobbs, M, and Holwell, D A. 2017. Pore geometry as a control on rock strength. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 457 (2017) 38鈥48.
- Archer, J W, Dobbs, M R, Reeves, H J, and Prance, R J. 2016. Measurement and correlation of acoustic emissions and pressure stimulated voltages in rock using an electric potential sensor. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 89, 26鈥33.
- Entwisle, D C, Culshaw, M G, Hulbert, A G, Shelley, W A, Self, S J, and Dobbs, M R. 2016. The Glasgow (Scotland) geotechnical GIS: a desk study tool. Geological Society, London, Engineering Geology Special Publications, 27:1 63-80.,
- Kearsey, T, Williams, J, Finlayson, A, Williamson, P, Dobbs, M, Marchant, B, Kingdon, A, and Campbell, D. 2015. Testing the application and limitation of stochastic simulations to predict the lithology of glacial and fluvial deposits in Central Glasgow, UK. Engineering Geology 187 (2015) 98鈥112.
- Bolognesi, F, Vinciguerra, S, Bistacchi, A, and Dobbs, M. 2015. The role of the mechanical anisotropy on deformation and failure mode of phyllosilicate-rich mylonitic fabric: new insights from rock deformation laboratory experiments. Rendiconti Online della Societ脿 Geologica Italiana.
- Bolognesi, F, Bistacchi, A, Dobbs, M, Kirkham, M, and Vinciguerra, S. 2014. The lock-up angle for brittle activation of a phyllosilicate-rich mylonitic fabric: implications for rock strength and failure modes. Rendiconti Online della Societ脿 Geologica Italiana 31.
- Aydin, A, Dobbs, M R, Reeves, H J, Kirkham, M P, Graham, C C, and Jefferson, I. 2013. Electric field in compressed concrete using the Electric Potential Sensor. Second Conference on Smart Monitoring, Assessment and Rehabilitation of Civil Structures. 9鈥11th September 2013. Istanbul, Turkey.
- Aydin, A, Dobbs, M R, Reeves, H J, Kirkham, M P, and Graham, C C. 2013. Stress induced electric field measurements of different rock lithology using the Electric Potential Sensor. 47th US Rock Mechanics / Geomechanics Symposium. 23 鈥 26th June 2013. San Francisco, USA.
- Aydin, A, Dobbs, M R, Reeves, H J, Graham, C C, and Kirkham, M P. 2013. Measuring stress induced electric field in Sandstone and Granite using the Electric Potential Sensor. EUROCK 2013 21鈥26th September 2013. Wroclaw, Poland.
- Dobbs, M R, Culshaw, M G, Northmore, K J, Reeves, H J, and Entwisle, D C. 2012. Methodology for creating national engineering geological maps of the UK. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 45, 335鈥347.
- MacDonald, A M, Maurice, L, Dobbs, M R, Reeves, H J and Auton, C A. 2012. Relating in situ hydraulic conductivity, particle size and relative density of superficial deposits in a heterogeneous catchment. Journal of Hydrology, 434鈥435, 130鈥141.
- Culshaw, M G, Dobbs, M, Reeves, H, J, Northmore, K J & Entwisle, D C. 2010. A tribute to Professor William Dearman: New small-scale engineering geological maps of the UK. In: Williams, A L, Pinches, G M, Chn, C Y, McMorran, T J & Massey, C I(eds). Geologically Active: Proceedings of the 11th IAEG Congress, Auckland, New Zealand, 5鈥10 Sept 2010. 187鈥198.
Published outputs
- Harrington, J F, Graham, C C, Dobbs, M, Cuss, R J, Daniels, K A, Wiseall, A C, Parkes, D, Paluzny-Rodriquez, A, Zimmerman, R, Salimzadeh, S, Tsaparli, V, Tempone, P, Xenias, D, and Whitmarsh, L. 2018. CONTAIN D11: Integrated final results and conclusions. CONTAIN Report D11. (72pp).
- Dobbs, M R, Kirkham, M P, Ougier-Simonin, A, and Cuss, R J. 2016. CONTAIN D3: Experimental parameters from reservoir material testing. Deliverable, D3. 今日吃瓜 Open Report OR/16/048. 157pp.
- Entwisle, D C, Hobbs, P R N, Northmore, K J, Skipper, J, Raines, M R, Self, S J, Ellison, R A, and Jones, L D. 2013. Engineering Geology of British Rocks and Soils – Lambeth Group. British Geological Survey Open Report, OR/13/006. 316pp. (Editors K J Northmore, M R Dobbs & S J Price)
- Williams, J D O, and Dobbs, M R. 2012. Particle Size Distribution analysis of central Glasgow in relation to lithology classification used in stochastic modelling. British Geological Survey Internal Report IR/12/039.
- Dobbs, M R, Hobbs, P R N, and Kirkham, M. 2012. MTS Rock Press User Manual – Tensile Strength Testing. British Geological Survey. INTERNAL REPORT IR/12/014.
- Dobbs, M R, Hobbs, P R N, and Kirkham, M. 2012. MTS Rock Press User Manual – Triaxial Testing. British Geological Survey INTERNAL REPORT IR/12/012.
- Dobbs, M R, Hobbs, P R N, and Kirkham, M. 2012. MTS Rock Press User Manual – Uniaxial Testing.British Geological Survey INTERNAL REPORT IR/12/013.
- BRITISH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 2011. Engineering Geology (Bedrock) Map of the United Kingdom. William R Dearman, Marcus R Dobbs, Martin G Culshaw, Kevin J Northmore, David C Entwisle and Helen J Reeves.
- BRITISH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 2011. Engineering Geology (Superficial) Map of the United Kingdom. William R Dearman, Marcus R Dobbs, Martin G Culshaw, Kevin J Northmore, David C Entwisle and Helen J Reeves.
- BRITISH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 2011. Extended key for the engineering geology maps of the United Kingdom. William R Dearman, Marcus R Dobbs, Martin G Culshaw, Kevin J Northmore, David C Entwisle and Helen J Reeves.
- Dobbs, M R. 2009. Tills Engineering Geology: Haslingden and Bowlee Boreholes, Lancashire. British Geological Survey Open File Report, OR/09/044. 46pp.
Commissioned reports
- Dobbs, M.R., Haslam, R.B., and Tamayo-Mas, E. 2018. Desk-based review of software used by the oil and gas industry to model hydraulic fracturing. Environment Agency Report. Project number SC170020.
- Kendall, R.S., Leslie, A.G, Gillespie, M.R., Dodd, T.J.H., Kearsey, T.I., Bide, T.P., and Dobbs, M.R. 2018. A Summary of the Geology of Singapore. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report, CR/18/076. Version 2, July 2018.
- Gillespie, M.R., Leslie, A.G, Dodd, T.J.H., Bide, T.P., Kendall, R.S., Kearsey, T.I., Dobbs, M.R., and Lee, K.W. 2018. Bedrock Stratigraphy of Singapore. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report, CR/18/001. 137pp.
- Leslie, A.G, Gillespie, M.R., Dodd, T.J.H., Kendall, R.S., Bide, T.P., Kearsey, T.I., Dobbs, M.R. and Lee, K.W. 2018. Interpretative Geological Studies Report for Singapore. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report, CR/17/140. 313pp.
- Leslie, A.G, Gillespie, M.R., Dodd, T.J.H., Kendall, R.S., & Dobbs, M R. 2018. Field Geology Report for Singapore. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report, CR/17/108. 409pp.
- Kearsey, T., Haslam, R.B., Williamson, P. & Dobbs, M.R. 2018. Final 3D National Geological Bedrock Model Report. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report, CR/18/071. 41pp.
- Kearsey, T., Haslam, R.B., Williamson, P. & Dobbs, M.R. 2018. Final Area A Geological Bedrock Model Report. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report, CR/18/070. 22pp.
- White J. C., Evans D. J., Leslie A. G., Dobbs M. R., 2017. Reprocessing and reinterpretation of 2D seismic lines in Area A and Area C, Singapore. British Geological Survey 今日吃瓜 commissioned Report, CR/17/109. 159pp.
- Gillespie, M R, Leslie, A G, Dodd, T, Kendall, R S, Bide, T, Kearsey, T, Goodenough, K M, Wakefield, O J and Dobbs, M R. 2017. Final Bedrock Geology Core Logging Report. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report, CR/17/061. 43pp.
- FORD, J. R. AND DOBBS, M. R.. 2016. Desk Study and Review Report on previous maps, publications and data on the geology of Singapore. British Geological Survey Internal Report, CR\16\059. 68 pp.
- EVANS, D. J., LESLIE, A. G., White, J. C., DOBBS, M.R. AND DASHWOOD, B.A.J.. 2016. Area B Seismic Audit Report. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report, CR/16/210. 75pp.
- EVANS, D. J., LESLIE, A. G., White, J. C., DOBBS, M.R. AND DASHWOOD, B.A.J.. 2016. Area F Seismic Audit Report. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report, CR/16/211. 97pp.
- EVANS, D. J., WHITE, J. C., Dashwood, B.A.J., DOBBS, M.R. AND LESLIE, A. G.. 2016. Area B Main Production Seismic Stage Review Report. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report, CR/16/186. 47pp.
- EVANS, D. J., WHITE, J. C., Dashwood, B.A.J., DOBBS, M.R. AND LESLIE, A. G.. 2016. Area F Main Production Seismic Stage Review Report. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report, CR/16/187. 39pp.
- WHITE, J. C., DASHWOOD, B.A.J., DOBBS, M.R., EVANS, D. J., LESLIE, A. G., JACKSON, P. , HAWDON, K., DEEMING, K. AND ALI, M.. 2016. Area B Seismic First Line Stage Review Report. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report, CR/16/132. 107pp.
- WHITE, J. C., DASHWOOD, B.A.J., DOBBS, M.R., EVANS, D. J., LESLIE, A. G., JACKSON, P. , HAWDON, K., DEEMING, K. AND ALI, M.. 2016. Area F Seismic First Line Stage Review Report. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report, CR/16/133. 102pp.
- A R Farrant and M R Dobbs. 2012. Pen Park Hole Cave Survey Project, Southmead, Bristol. British Geological Surevy Commissioned Report CR/12/104.
- DOBBS, M. HOUGH, E. & EVANS, D.J. 2009a. Report on the Hay Nook Borehole, Preesall, Lancashire. British Geological Survey, Commercial in Confidence report to Canatxx Gas Storage Limited, January 2009, 今日吃瓜 Report Number CR/09/049.
- DOBBS, M. HOUGH, E. & EVANS, D.J. 2009b. Report on the Burrows Marsh Borehole (Middle Deviated), Preesall, Lancashire. British Geological Survey, Commercial in Confidence report to Canatxx Gas Storage Limited, January 2009, 今日吃瓜 Report Number CR/09/015.
- Hough, E & Dobbs, M & Witney, P. 2010. Hay Nook and Burrows Marsh (Middle Deviated) borehole core lithological logging. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report CR/10/128.
- JACKSON, P., DOBBS, M.R., DASHWOOD, B.A.J., HAWDON, K., DEEMING, K. AND ALI, M. . 2014. Area B Seismic Trials Stage Review Report. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report, CR/14/107. 51pp.
- JACKSON, P., DOBBS, M.R., Hawdon, K., Deeming, K., Ali, M. and Dashwood, B.A.J.. 2014. Area F Seismic Trials Stage Review Report. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report, CR/14/106. 53pp.
- M. Dobbs and P. S. Balson. 2010. Drigg Spit: Intrusive Investigations. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report CR/10/050
- MR DOBBS, A OUGIER-SIMONIN. 2016. Multi-stage triaxial rock testing of sandstone, siltstone and mudstone specimens for York Potash Mineral Transport System. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report, CR/16/140. 163pp.
- MR DOBBS. 2015. Triaxial Deformation Tests on Ludlow Shale Group Siltstone. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report, CR/15/098. 133pp.
- MR Dobbs & MP Kirkham. 2013. Laboratory rock testing of samples from boreholes HZEM-2, ST-51-C, MNSA-1 and ST-51-E for Saudi Aramco. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report CR/13/132.
- MR Dobbs, MP Kirkham, AS Butcher & S Wathall. 2014. Multi-stage triaxial rock testing of sandstone, siltstone and mudstone specimens for York Potash Mineral Transport System. British Geological Survey COMMISSIONED REPORT CR/14/126.
- P.R.N. Hobbs, M. R. Dobbs and R. J. Cuss. 2012. Desk Based Study and Literature Review of Diapirism in Plastic Clays and an analysis of the Critical state of Boom Clay. British Geological Survey Commercial Report CR/11/012.
Published outputs
- ORC-ID: 0000-0002-4070-1704
- engineering geological classification
- mapping and modelling
- experimental rock and soil mechanics
- urban geoscience
- geoscience for sustainable development
- site investigation and interpretation
- project and laboratory facilities management
- Fellow of the Geological Society of London
- Associate of the Royal School of Mines
- UK representative to the Coordinating Committee of Geoscience Programmes in East and Southeast Asia (CCOP)