Rock fall accidents in mountainous cliff areas have significant consequences for human life and transportation.This study aimed to evaluate the rockfall hazard in the Cap Aokas cliff region located along the northeast...Rock fall accidents in mountainous cliff areas have significant consequences for human life and transportation.This study aimed to evaluate the rockfall hazard in the Cap Aokas cliff region located along the northeast coast of Algeria by identifying the key factors contributing to rockfall occurrence.We employed a combination of kinematic analysis,Matterocking method,and 3D trajectory simulations to determine zones that are susceptible to rockfall mobilization.By using a probabilistic and structural approach in conjunction with photogrammetry,we identified the controlling factors.The kinematic analysis revealed the presence of five discontinuity families,which indicated both plane and wedge failure modes.The 3D trajectory simulations demonstrated that the falling blocks followed the stream direction.We then validated the susceptibility maps generated from the analysis using aerial photos and historical rockfall events.The findings of this study enhance our understanding of rockfall phenomena and provide valuable insights for the development of effective strategies to mitigate rockfall hazards.展开更多
During the last decade, large rockfalls occurred on the steep limestone slopes along the Adriatic Coast of Croatia, causing injury to people and serious damage to buildings and traffic facilities. The rockfalls along ...During the last decade, large rockfalls occurred on the steep limestone slopes along the Adriatic Coast of Croatia, causing injury to people and serious damage to buildings and traffic facilities. The rockfalls along the limestone slopes were caused by unfavorable characteristics of the rock mass, weathering in combination with heavy rainfall and artificial influences during highway construction. Rockfall protection projects were conducted to protect human lives and facilities from future rockfalls. The rockfall protection program started with rockfall hazard analyses to identify the potential of rockfalls to occur and the potential consequences. At the locations of hazards where related risks were determined, detailed field investigations were conducted. Based on the indentified characteristics of potentially unstable rock masses, analyses of movement and resulting pathways were conducted. The trajectories, impact energy and the height of bouncing are dependent on slope geometry, slope surface roughness and rockfall block characteristics. Two protection measure approaches were adopted: prevention of rockfalls by removing potentially unstable rock mass or installation of rock mass support systems and suspending running rockfall masses with rockfall protection barriers. In this paper, rockfall hazard determination, rockfall analyses and rockfall protection designs for rockfall protection systems at selected locations on the limestone slopes along the Adriatic coast of Croatia are presented.展开更多
Rockfall disasters can result in damages to various structures such as highways and buildings.Ground reinforced embankments(GRE) are one of the barrier types used to prevent rockfall. GRE absorb the impact energy of t...Rockfall disasters can result in damages to various structures such as highways and buildings.Ground reinforced embankments(GRE) are one of the barrier types used to prevent rockfall. GRE absorb the impact energy of the hitting rock blocks by the movement of fine soil particles triggered by the penetration of the rock in the soil. In this process,stresses in the wall are distributed in both the transverse and longitudinal directions. GREs on the valley slopes can be hundreds of meters long, so such structures cause difficulty in transition to valley slope behind the embankments. Especially, access to areas such as agricultural, pasture or forest lands behind the GRE becomes a challenge. The current paper presents the design of passageways in GRE using the finite element method to provide safe corridors at several different parts within the hundreds of meters long structures. A total of 4 different passageway designs for GRE were developed. Each finite element model was subjected to rockfall with different kinetic energies of 500, 1000 and 3000kJ. The obtained results showed that 44% increase in structure volume increased the impact capacity from 500 kJ to 3000kJ.Furthermore, the critical displacement caused by rockfall impact with an energy of 3000 kJ was reduced by 31%. It was determined that the support applied with the reinforced concrete wall did not reach the desired energy absorption value due to its rigid structure, and even collapsed at 3000 kJ.展开更多
Block size and shape depend on the state of fracturing of the rock mass and,consequently,on the geometrical features of the discontinuity sets(mainly orientation,spacing,and persistence).The development of non-contact...Block size and shape depend on the state of fracturing of the rock mass and,consequently,on the geometrical features of the discontinuity sets(mainly orientation,spacing,and persistence).The development of non-contact surveying techniques applied to rock mass characterization offers significant advantages in terms of data numerosity,precision,and accuracy,allowing for performing a rigorous statistical analysis of the database.This fact is particularly evident when dealing with rockfall phenomena:uncertainties in spacing and orientation data could significantly amplify the uncertainties connected with in situ block size distribution(IBSD),which represents a relation between each possible value of the volume and its probability of not being exceeded.In addition to volume,block shape can be considered as a derived parameter that suffers from uncertainties.Many attempts to model the possible trajectories of blocks considering their actual shape have been proposed,aiming to reproduce the effect on motion.The authors proposed analytical equations for calculating the expected value and variance of volume distributions,based on the geometrically correct equation for block volume in the case of three discontinuity sets.They quantify and discuss the effect of both volume and shape variability through a synthetic case study.Firstly,a fictitious rock mass with three discontinuity sets is assumed as the source of rockfall.The IBSDs obtained considering different spacing datasets are quantitatively compared,and the overall uncertainty effect is assessed,proving the correctness of the proposed equations.Then,block shape distributions are obtained and compared,confirming the variability of shapes within the same IBSD.Finally,a comparison between trajectory simulations on the synthetic slope is reported,aiming to highlight the effects of the propagation of uncertainties to block volume and shape estimation.The benefits of an approach that can quantify the uncertainties are discussed from the perspective of improving the reliability of simulations.展开更多
The shape of rockfalls significantly affects the performance of the impact cushion,which is manifested by the difference in the impact force and the penetration depth of the rockfall during the collision.In this study...The shape of rockfalls significantly affects the performance of the impact cushion,which is manifested by the difference in the impact force and the penetration depth of the rockfall during the collision.In this study,we built the collision numerical model between rockfalls and cushions based on the results from previous studies,and simulated the collision process of rockfalls with four different shapes(cylindrical,cuboid,spherical,and cubic)and different cushions.Essential parameters when rockfalls impact cushions are calculated,including the maximum impact forces on the surface and bottom of the cushions and the maximum penetration depth of the rockfall.The results showed that the maximum impact force on the surface and the bottom of the cushions varies with the rockfall shapes.The maximum impact force on the cushion surface caused by cylindrical rockfall is the smallest,followed by the cuboid rockfall,the cube rockfall,and the spherical rockfall.The maximum impact force at the cushion bottom also follows this trend.However,the penetration depth of cuboid rockfall is the smallest,followed by the cylindrical rockfall,the cubic rockfall,and the spherical rockfall.The results of this study provide more extensive theoretical support for rockfall disaster prevention using gravel cushions.展开更多
The ancient Kilistra settlement is a natural,historical and cultural heritage site in Central Anatolia(Turkey), which makes it an attractive destination for tourists. However, the settlement located on a hill with ste...The ancient Kilistra settlement is a natural,historical and cultural heritage site in Central Anatolia(Turkey), which makes it an attractive destination for tourists. However, the settlement located on a hill with steep hillsides has suffered from rockfall events,causing the destruction of some historical buildings.The rockfall risk in the region continues to create a serious danger today for land users and visitors during uncontrolled tourist visits. This paper offers an assessment of rockfall hazard for the ancient Kilistra settlement based on experimental investigation and numerical analyses. For the study, comprehensive field studies were carried out, including the identification of slope profiles, scanline surveys on discontinuities and stability analysis of the slopes. The location and size of the fallen, detached and hanging blocks were also identified. Geomechanical properties of the geological units were determined, and also the rockfall risk rating method was applied for the evaluation of the rockfall hazard risk. Runout distance, bounce height, kinetic energy as well as the velocity of the detached and hanging blocks were determined by using twodimensional rockfall analyses. Based on the results from the rockfall analyses, possible rockfall-based danger zones have been defined for the ancient Kilistra settlement and its close vicinity. The results of this study point at an immediate necessity for the installation of support systems. Findings of the study also offer preliminary data for the description of risk administration strategies and also provide scientific contribution to the study of the hazard and risk resulting from rockfall phenomena.展开更多
Rockfalls are one of the most dangerous natural events in hilly terrains, and they substantially threaten residential areas and transport corridors in these environments. This study is aimed to analyze the risk of roc...Rockfalls are one of the most dangerous natural events in hilly terrains, and they substantially threaten residential areas and transport corridors in these environments. This study is aimed to analyze the risk of rockfall from a slope to nearby houses in a historical settlement with past rockfall histories. It contains numerous applications to study rockfall danger from different points of view(e.g., kinematics,numerical stability analysis, risk assessment, 2D trajectory). The rockfall kinematics revealed the statistics for different structurally controlled failure modes among the surveyed slope discontinuities,especially wedge type and block toppling were the most significant ones. Finite element analysis showed that the slope was stable under the natural condition with a safety factor of 2.19. The rockfall risk rating system calculated a medium risk for the houses downstream. Based on the field measurements, a possible rockfall profile was determined and located as an input in the 2D rockfall trajectory program. The rigid-body impact model runs utilized various shapes and sizes of blocks to simulate the rockfall events realistically. According to the 2D trajectory model results, there was no rockfall danger for the investigated downslope houses. The study showed the importance of using different analysis techniques to solve rockfall risk in protected areas based on scientific and rational approaches.展开更多
Hazard and risk assessment procedures of different types of rockfall were analyzed to compare their outcomes when they are applied to the same case study.Although numerous methodologies are available in literature,roc...Hazard and risk assessment procedures of different types of rockfall were analyzed to compare their outcomes when they are applied to the same case study.Although numerous methodologies are available in literature,rockfall hazard and risk analyses are often limited to standard estimations,affected by a margin of uncertainty,especially when relevant engineering projects are about to be realized.Based on the design purpose,different types of approaches can be chosen among the qualitative and quantitative ones available in literature,which allow different levels of analysis.One of the main criticisms related to rockfall events is the risk affecting linear structures,such as road or railways,due both to their strategic relevance for trade and communications and to the great entity of the exposed value(traffic units)traveling along them.In this perspective,a comparison between the qualitative method known as Evolving Rockfall Hazard Assessment(EHRA),the semi-quantitative modified Rockfall Hazard Rating System(RHRS)and the quantitative Rockfall Risk Management(RoMa)approach is herein commented according to a practical application to a case study.It is the case of the rockfall threat along slopes crossed by a strategic road connecting two of the most known spots of eastern Sicily(Italy),at the Taormina tourist complex.Data were retrieved from both recent literature and technical surveys on field.Achieved results highlight how the approaches are affected by a different level of detail and uncertainty,arising also by some necessary assumption that must be taken into account,especially when mitigation measures or territory planning have to be designed.Achieved results can be also taken into account for similar studies worldwide,in order to choose the most suitable procedure based on the design purpose.This is indeed crucial in the perspective of the optimization of time and economic resources in the territorial planning practice.展开更多
This work addresses the integrated assessment of rockfall(including landslides) hazards and risk for S301, Z120, and Z128 highways, which are important transportation corridors to the world heritage site Jiuzhai Valle...This work addresses the integrated assessment of rockfall(including landslides) hazards and risk for S301, Z120, and Z128 highways, which are important transportation corridors to the world heritage site Jiuzhai Valley National Park in Sichuan, China. The highways are severely threatened by rockfalls or landslide events after the 2017 Ms 7.0 Jiuzhaigou earthquake. Field survey(September 14-18 th, 2017, May 15-20 th, 2018, and September 9-17 th, 2018), unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV), and satellite image identified high-relief rockfalls and road construction rockfalls or landslides along the highway. Rockfall hazard is qualitatively evaluated using block count, velocity, and flying height through a 3D rockfall simulation at local and regional scales. Rockfall risk is quantitatively assessed with rockfall event probability, propagation probability, spatial probability, and vulnerability for different block volume classes. Approximately 21.5%, 20.5%, and 5.3% of the road mileage was found to be subject to an unacceptable(UA) risk class for vehicles along S301, Z120, and Z128 highways, respectively. Approximately 20.1% and 3.3% of the road mileage belong to the UA risk class for tourists along Z120 and Z128 highways, respectively. Results highlighted that high-relief rockfall events were intensively located at K50 to K55(Guanmenzi to Ganheba) and K70 to K72(Jiudaoguai to Shangsizhai Village) road mileages along S301 highway and KZ18 to KZ22(Five Flower Lake to Arrow Bamboo Lake) road mileages, KZ30(Swan Lake to Virgin Forests), and KY10.5 kilometers in Jiuzhai Valley. Rockfalls in these locations were classified under the UA risk class and medium to very high hazard index. Road construction rockfalls were located at K67(Jiuzhai Paradise) and K75–K76 kilometers along S301 highway and KZ12 to KZ14(Rhino Lake to Nuorilang Waterfall), KZ16.5 to KZ17.5(Golden Bell Lake), KY5(Lower Seasonal Lake), and KY14(Upper Seasonal Lake) kilometers along Z120 and Z128 highway in Jiuzhai Valley. Rockfalls in these areas were within a reasonable practicable risk to UA risk class and very low to medium hazard index. Finally, defensive measures, including flexible nets, concrete walls, and artificial tunnels, could be selected appropriately on the basis of the rockfall hazard index and risk class. This study revealed the integration between qualitative rockfall hazard assessment and quantitative rockfall risk assessment, which is crucial in studying rockfall prevention and mitigation.展开更多
Rockfall is one of severe natural hazards that are frequently reported in northeast region of India. It carries rock block falling from the cliff with high velocities and energies which can result in damages to vehicl...Rockfall is one of severe natural hazards that are frequently reported in northeast region of India. It carries rock block falling from the cliff with high velocities and energies which can result in damages to vehicles, disruption to transportation, injuries and fatalities. The massive rockfall event which occurred in April 2017 on the highway NH-44 A, near Lengpui Airport, blocked the traffic for 1 d, and fortunately,no casualties were reported as the event occurred in the night. This is the only highway connecting the Aizawl city to the airport and the region is highly prone to rockfall events. Hence assessment of rockfall along this highway is necessary. In the current study, rockfall hazard assessment has been carried out on three locations by rockfall hazard rating system(RHRS). During pre-failure analysis, the result shows that most hazardous slopes have RHRS score of 639. The slopes were found to be vulnerable and later on the rockfall activity occurred. Three-dimensional(3 D) stability analysis has been carried out using 3 DEC software package to analyze the failure behavior and to decide the rockfall-prone zone(unstable blocks)for slope. The total displacement of 2.24 cm and velocity of 2,25 mm/s of the failed block have been observed in the numerical analysis. Further, the rockfall vulnerable zone(unstable blocks) is considered to determine the parameters such as run-out distance, bounce height and energies of the falling rock blocks. The maximum total kinetic energy of 5047 kJ has been observed in the numerical analysis with the maximum run-out distance up to 18 m.展开更多
This paper presents the effect of thickness of Buffer layer on the safety of cut-and-cover tunnel under the given magnitude and height of rockfall, and the limit load of the structure. To establish calculating models ...This paper presents the effect of thickness of Buffer layer on the safety of cut-and-cover tunnel under the given magnitude and height of rockfall, and the limit load of the structure. To establish calculating models of rockfall in different conditions, the dynamics of the fall down to the surface of the slope is taken into account and the exterior characteristics of the rockfall is analyzed. We have derived the formula for calculating velocity of rocks before and after collision, calculated the impact load upon the structures below and the limit load, and compared the impact force and limit load to judge the safety of the structure. Finally, the validity of models is approved by the safety evaluation of cut-and-cover tunnel in the mouth of Heshang Mountain in Nandan County.展开更多
The effects of slope surface material, slope gradient, block shape, and block mass conditions on rockfall rolling velocity were estimated with orthogonal test approach. Visual analysis shows that the importance of the...The effects of slope surface material, slope gradient, block shape, and block mass conditions on rockfall rolling velocity were estimated with orthogonal test approach. Visual analysis shows that the importance of the factors is slope surface material > slope gradient > block shape > block mass. All the factors except block mass have the F value greater than the critical value, suggesting that these three factors are the key factors affecting the rockfall rolling velocity. Factor interaction analysis shows that the effect of the slope gradient relies largely on the slope surface conditions, and the block shape has little influence if the slope gradient is larger than a critical value. An empirical model considering the three key factors is proposed to estimate the rolling velocity, of which the error is limited to 5% of the testing value. This model is validated by 73 field tests, and the prediction shows excellent correlation with the site test. Thus, this analysis can be used as a tool in the rockfall behavior analysis.展开更多
基金the support provided by the Laboratory of Applied Research in Engineering Geology, Geotechnics, Water Sciences, and Environment, Setif 1 University, Algeria
文摘Rock fall accidents in mountainous cliff areas have significant consequences for human life and transportation.This study aimed to evaluate the rockfall hazard in the Cap Aokas cliff region located along the northeast coast of Algeria by identifying the key factors contributing to rockfall occurrence.We employed a combination of kinematic analysis,Matterocking method,and 3D trajectory simulations to determine zones that are susceptible to rockfall mobilization.By using a probabilistic and structural approach in conjunction with photogrammetry,we identified the controlling factors.The kinematic analysis revealed the presence of five discontinuity families,which indicated both plane and wedge failure modes.The 3D trajectory simulations demonstrated that the falling blocks followed the stream direction.We then validated the susceptibility maps generated from the analysis using aerial photos and historical rockfall events.The findings of this study enhance our understanding of rockfall phenomena and provide valuable insights for the development of effective strategies to mitigate rockfall hazards.
文摘During the last decade, large rockfalls occurred on the steep limestone slopes along the Adriatic Coast of Croatia, causing injury to people and serious damage to buildings and traffic facilities. The rockfalls along the limestone slopes were caused by unfavorable characteristics of the rock mass, weathering in combination with heavy rainfall and artificial influences during highway construction. Rockfall protection projects were conducted to protect human lives and facilities from future rockfalls. The rockfall protection program started with rockfall hazard analyses to identify the potential of rockfalls to occur and the potential consequences. At the locations of hazards where related risks were determined, detailed field investigations were conducted. Based on the indentified characteristics of potentially unstable rock masses, analyses of movement and resulting pathways were conducted. The trajectories, impact energy and the height of bouncing are dependent on slope geometry, slope surface roughness and rockfall block characteristics. Two protection measure approaches were adopted: prevention of rockfalls by removing potentially unstable rock mass or installation of rock mass support systems and suspending running rockfall masses with rockfall protection barriers. In this paper, rockfall hazard determination, rockfall analyses and rockfall protection designs for rockfall protection systems at selected locations on the limestone slopes along the Adriatic coast of Croatia are presented.
文摘Rockfall disasters can result in damages to various structures such as highways and buildings.Ground reinforced embankments(GRE) are one of the barrier types used to prevent rockfall. GRE absorb the impact energy of the hitting rock blocks by the movement of fine soil particles triggered by the penetration of the rock in the soil. In this process,stresses in the wall are distributed in both the transverse and longitudinal directions. GREs on the valley slopes can be hundreds of meters long, so such structures cause difficulty in transition to valley slope behind the embankments. Especially, access to areas such as agricultural, pasture or forest lands behind the GRE becomes a challenge. The current paper presents the design of passageways in GRE using the finite element method to provide safe corridors at several different parts within the hundreds of meters long structures. A total of 4 different passageway designs for GRE were developed. Each finite element model was subjected to rockfall with different kinetic energies of 500, 1000 and 3000kJ. The obtained results showed that 44% increase in structure volume increased the impact capacity from 500 kJ to 3000kJ.Furthermore, the critical displacement caused by rockfall impact with an energy of 3000 kJ was reduced by 31%. It was determined that the support applied with the reinforced concrete wall did not reach the desired energy absorption value due to its rigid structure, and even collapsed at 3000 kJ.
文摘Block size and shape depend on the state of fracturing of the rock mass and,consequently,on the geometrical features of the discontinuity sets(mainly orientation,spacing,and persistence).The development of non-contact surveying techniques applied to rock mass characterization offers significant advantages in terms of data numerosity,precision,and accuracy,allowing for performing a rigorous statistical analysis of the database.This fact is particularly evident when dealing with rockfall phenomena:uncertainties in spacing and orientation data could significantly amplify the uncertainties connected with in situ block size distribution(IBSD),which represents a relation between each possible value of the volume and its probability of not being exceeded.In addition to volume,block shape can be considered as a derived parameter that suffers from uncertainties.Many attempts to model the possible trajectories of blocks considering their actual shape have been proposed,aiming to reproduce the effect on motion.The authors proposed analytical equations for calculating the expected value and variance of volume distributions,based on the geometrically correct equation for block volume in the case of three discontinuity sets.They quantify and discuss the effect of both volume and shape variability through a synthetic case study.Firstly,a fictitious rock mass with three discontinuity sets is assumed as the source of rockfall.The IBSDs obtained considering different spacing datasets are quantitatively compared,and the overall uncertainty effect is assessed,proving the correctness of the proposed equations.Then,block shape distributions are obtained and compared,confirming the variability of shapes within the same IBSD.Finally,a comparison between trajectory simulations on the synthetic slope is reported,aiming to highlight the effects of the propagation of uncertainties to block volume and shape estimation.The benefits of an approach that can quantify the uncertainties are discussed from the perspective of improving the reliability of simulations.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFC3080100)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.52104125)+2 种基金opening research fund of State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering,Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics,Chinese Academy of Sciences(Grant No.SKLGME021009)the Basic Research Program of Guizhou ProvinceZK[2022]General 166opening fund of State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection(Chengdu University of Technology)(Grant No.SKLGP2022K007)。
文摘The shape of rockfalls significantly affects the performance of the impact cushion,which is manifested by the difference in the impact force and the penetration depth of the rockfall during the collision.In this study,we built the collision numerical model between rockfalls and cushions based on the results from previous studies,and simulated the collision process of rockfalls with four different shapes(cylindrical,cuboid,spherical,and cubic)and different cushions.Essential parameters when rockfalls impact cushions are calculated,including the maximum impact forces on the surface and bottom of the cushions and the maximum penetration depth of the rockfall.The results showed that the maximum impact force on the surface and the bottom of the cushions varies with the rockfall shapes.The maximum impact force on the cushion surface caused by cylindrical rockfall is the smallest,followed by the cuboid rockfall,the cube rockfall,and the spherical rockfall.The maximum impact force at the cushion bottom also follows this trend.However,the penetration depth of cuboid rockfall is the smallest,followed by the cylindrical rockfall,the cubic rockfall,and the spherical rockfall.The results of this study provide more extensive theoretical support for rockfall disaster prevention using gravel cushions.
文摘The ancient Kilistra settlement is a natural,historical and cultural heritage site in Central Anatolia(Turkey), which makes it an attractive destination for tourists. However, the settlement located on a hill with steep hillsides has suffered from rockfall events,causing the destruction of some historical buildings.The rockfall risk in the region continues to create a serious danger today for land users and visitors during uncontrolled tourist visits. This paper offers an assessment of rockfall hazard for the ancient Kilistra settlement based on experimental investigation and numerical analyses. For the study, comprehensive field studies were carried out, including the identification of slope profiles, scanline surveys on discontinuities and stability analysis of the slopes. The location and size of the fallen, detached and hanging blocks were also identified. Geomechanical properties of the geological units were determined, and also the rockfall risk rating method was applied for the evaluation of the rockfall hazard risk. Runout distance, bounce height, kinetic energy as well as the velocity of the detached and hanging blocks were determined by using twodimensional rockfall analyses. Based on the results from the rockfall analyses, possible rockfall-based danger zones have been defined for the ancient Kilistra settlement and its close vicinity. The results of this study point at an immediate necessity for the installation of support systems. Findings of the study also offer preliminary data for the description of risk administration strategies and also provide scientific contribution to the study of the hazard and risk resulting from rockfall phenomena.
文摘Rockfalls are one of the most dangerous natural events in hilly terrains, and they substantially threaten residential areas and transport corridors in these environments. This study is aimed to analyze the risk of rockfall from a slope to nearby houses in a historical settlement with past rockfall histories. It contains numerous applications to study rockfall danger from different points of view(e.g., kinematics,numerical stability analysis, risk assessment, 2D trajectory). The rockfall kinematics revealed the statistics for different structurally controlled failure modes among the surveyed slope discontinuities,especially wedge type and block toppling were the most significant ones. Finite element analysis showed that the slope was stable under the natural condition with a safety factor of 2.19. The rockfall risk rating system calculated a medium risk for the houses downstream. Based on the field measurements, a possible rockfall profile was determined and located as an input in the 2D rockfall trajectory program. The rigid-body impact model runs utilized various shapes and sizes of blocks to simulate the rockfall events realistically. According to the 2D trajectory model results, there was no rockfall danger for the investigated downslope houses. The study showed the importance of using different analysis techniques to solve rockfall risk in protected areas based on scientific and rational approaches.
文摘Hazard and risk assessment procedures of different types of rockfall were analyzed to compare their outcomes when they are applied to the same case study.Although numerous methodologies are available in literature,rockfall hazard and risk analyses are often limited to standard estimations,affected by a margin of uncertainty,especially when relevant engineering projects are about to be realized.Based on the design purpose,different types of approaches can be chosen among the qualitative and quantitative ones available in literature,which allow different levels of analysis.One of the main criticisms related to rockfall events is the risk affecting linear structures,such as road or railways,due both to their strategic relevance for trade and communications and to the great entity of the exposed value(traffic units)traveling along them.In this perspective,a comparison between the qualitative method known as Evolving Rockfall Hazard Assessment(EHRA),the semi-quantitative modified Rockfall Hazard Rating System(RHRS)and the quantitative Rockfall Risk Management(RoMa)approach is herein commented according to a practical application to a case study.It is the case of the rockfall threat along slopes crossed by a strategic road connecting two of the most known spots of eastern Sicily(Italy),at the Taormina tourist complex.Data were retrieved from both recent literature and technical surveys on field.Achieved results highlight how the approaches are affected by a different level of detail and uncertainty,arising also by some necessary assumption that must be taken into account,especially when mitigation measures or territory planning have to be designed.Achieved results can be also taken into account for similar studies worldwide,in order to choose the most suitable procedure based on the design purpose.This is indeed crucial in the perspective of the optimization of time and economic resources in the territorial planning practice.
基金supported by research funds awarded by the Key Research & Development Program of Sichuan Province (No. 2017SZYZF0008, No. 2019YFS0489)
文摘This work addresses the integrated assessment of rockfall(including landslides) hazards and risk for S301, Z120, and Z128 highways, which are important transportation corridors to the world heritage site Jiuzhai Valley National Park in Sichuan, China. The highways are severely threatened by rockfalls or landslide events after the 2017 Ms 7.0 Jiuzhaigou earthquake. Field survey(September 14-18 th, 2017, May 15-20 th, 2018, and September 9-17 th, 2018), unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV), and satellite image identified high-relief rockfalls and road construction rockfalls or landslides along the highway. Rockfall hazard is qualitatively evaluated using block count, velocity, and flying height through a 3D rockfall simulation at local and regional scales. Rockfall risk is quantitatively assessed with rockfall event probability, propagation probability, spatial probability, and vulnerability for different block volume classes. Approximately 21.5%, 20.5%, and 5.3% of the road mileage was found to be subject to an unacceptable(UA) risk class for vehicles along S301, Z120, and Z128 highways, respectively. Approximately 20.1% and 3.3% of the road mileage belong to the UA risk class for tourists along Z120 and Z128 highways, respectively. Results highlighted that high-relief rockfall events were intensively located at K50 to K55(Guanmenzi to Ganheba) and K70 to K72(Jiudaoguai to Shangsizhai Village) road mileages along S301 highway and KZ18 to KZ22(Five Flower Lake to Arrow Bamboo Lake) road mileages, KZ30(Swan Lake to Virgin Forests), and KY10.5 kilometers in Jiuzhai Valley. Rockfalls in these locations were classified under the UA risk class and medium to very high hazard index. Road construction rockfalls were located at K67(Jiuzhai Paradise) and K75–K76 kilometers along S301 highway and KZ12 to KZ14(Rhino Lake to Nuorilang Waterfall), KZ16.5 to KZ17.5(Golden Bell Lake), KY5(Lower Seasonal Lake), and KY14(Upper Seasonal Lake) kilometers along Z120 and Z128 highway in Jiuzhai Valley. Rockfalls in these areas were within a reasonable practicable risk to UA risk class and very low to medium hazard index. Finally, defensive measures, including flexible nets, concrete walls, and artificial tunnels, could be selected appropriately on the basis of the rockfall hazard index and risk class. This study revealed the integration between qualitative rockfall hazard assessment and quantitative rockfall risk assessment, which is crucial in studying rockfall prevention and mitigation.
基金the Ministry of Earth Sciences,Government of India(MoES/P.O(Geosci)/42/2015)for the grant to carry out this study
文摘Rockfall is one of severe natural hazards that are frequently reported in northeast region of India. It carries rock block falling from the cliff with high velocities and energies which can result in damages to vehicles, disruption to transportation, injuries and fatalities. The massive rockfall event which occurred in April 2017 on the highway NH-44 A, near Lengpui Airport, blocked the traffic for 1 d, and fortunately,no casualties were reported as the event occurred in the night. This is the only highway connecting the Aizawl city to the airport and the region is highly prone to rockfall events. Hence assessment of rockfall along this highway is necessary. In the current study, rockfall hazard assessment has been carried out on three locations by rockfall hazard rating system(RHRS). During pre-failure analysis, the result shows that most hazardous slopes have RHRS score of 639. The slopes were found to be vulnerable and later on the rockfall activity occurred. Three-dimensional(3 D) stability analysis has been carried out using 3 DEC software package to analyze the failure behavior and to decide the rockfall-prone zone(unstable blocks)for slope. The total displacement of 2.24 cm and velocity of 2,25 mm/s of the failed block have been observed in the numerical analysis. Further, the rockfall vulnerable zone(unstable blocks) is considered to determine the parameters such as run-out distance, bounce height and energies of the falling rock blocks. The maximum total kinetic energy of 5047 kJ has been observed in the numerical analysis with the maximum run-out distance up to 18 m.
文摘This paper presents the effect of thickness of Buffer layer on the safety of cut-and-cover tunnel under the given magnitude and height of rockfall, and the limit load of the structure. To establish calculating models of rockfall in different conditions, the dynamics of the fall down to the surface of the slope is taken into account and the exterior characteristics of the rockfall is analyzed. We have derived the formula for calculating velocity of rocks before and after collision, calculated the impact load upon the structures below and the limit load, and compared the impact force and limit load to judge the safety of the structure. Finally, the validity of models is approved by the safety evaluation of cut-and-cover tunnel in the mouth of Heshang Mountain in Nandan County.
基金supported by the National Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41572302)the Funds for Creative Research Groups of China (Grant No. 41521002)
文摘The effects of slope surface material, slope gradient, block shape, and block mass conditions on rockfall rolling velocity were estimated with orthogonal test approach. Visual analysis shows that the importance of the factors is slope surface material > slope gradient > block shape > block mass. All the factors except block mass have the F value greater than the critical value, suggesting that these three factors are the key factors affecting the rockfall rolling velocity. Factor interaction analysis shows that the effect of the slope gradient relies largely on the slope surface conditions, and the block shape has little influence if the slope gradient is larger than a critical value. An empirical model considering the three key factors is proposed to estimate the rolling velocity, of which the error is limited to 5% of the testing value. This model is validated by 73 field tests, and the prediction shows excellent correlation with the site test. Thus, this analysis can be used as a tool in the rockfall behavior analysis.