Rockfall susceptibility zoning at a large scale: From geomorphological inventory to preliminary land use planning

Rockfall, up to several hundreds of cubic meters, is a frequent and rapid landslide which menaces extensive areas in mountainous territories. Rockfall susceptibility zoning map at a large scale (1:5000–1:25 000) can be the first tool for land use planning in order to manage rockfall risk. A methodology allowing to analyze susceptibility in extensive areas with optimum cost/benefit relationship is needed. This work analyzes rockfall susceptibility in an extensive rocky mountain of the Principality of Andorra (Pyrenees Mountains), first on the rock slope and then on the exposed area located below. The rockfall record, obtained by means of geomorphological analysis, supplies the main data to analyze the susceptibility on the rock slope. An additional historical inventory verifies the accuracy of rockfall sizes recorded by means of the geomorphological analysis. According to the classification recommended by the Guidelines of Joint Technical Committee, the density of rockfall features on the rock slope assesses susceptibility in four levels. Subsequently, susceptibility on exposed areas has been analyzed by means of reach probability of rock blocks analysis using empirical models. Data acquired from thirteen recent events, from 1999 to 2004, have been used to verify the accuracy of the two empirical models mainly used (reach angle and shadow angle). Five reach probability limits (1, 0.5, 0.25, 0.01, and 0) establish boundaries between susceptibility levels. The resulting rockfall susceptibility zoning map allows: (a) to identify land areas and human elements exposed to rockfalls and, (b) to establish several exposition levels. This map can be a useful and cost-effective tool for administrations responsible to manage natural risk in order to guide urban grow in extensive areas or decide upon work programs based on in-depth analysis (hazard and risk).     

Rockfall susceptibility zoning based on back analysis of rockfall deposit inventory in Gunung Kelir,Java

A rockfall susceptibility based on trajectory-energy/velocity approach needs release area or rockfall source. However, identification of rockfall source is not always possible for some areas in Indonesia. This paper presents a rockfall susceptibility zoning based on back analysis technique of rockfall deposit inventory in Gunung Kelir, Java. There were several steps in the rockfall susceptibility zoning: (1) rockfall deposit inventory, (2) rockfall simulation based on back analysis of rockfall deposit inventory, (3) sensitivity analysis, and (4) rockfall susceptibility zoning. The result suggests that the travel distance is affected by the spatial distribution of rockfall source, lithology or surface material, and topography (angle of slope and angle of aspect). Final trajectories were employed to generate landslide susceptibility map which may allow a policy maker to have an advanced consideration to achieve specified risk measures and evaluation of their cost efficiency to optimize budget and design. Application of rockfall susceptibility zoning based on back analysis of rockfall deposits is efficient where rockfall source information is unavailable.     

单体危岩崩塌灾害风险评价方法——以四川省丹巴县危岩崩塌体为例

综合分析国内外危岩崩塌风险评价方法的基础上,以丹巴县双拥路危岩崩塌体为例,提出了适用于单体危岩崩塌的风险评价方法。根据蒙特卡洛法的基本原理及方法编制了危岩崩塌体的稳定性可靠度分析程序,计算了不同工况下危岩失稳的概率。同时,考虑地面建筑物对落石的阻挡影响,利用专业软件模拟落石的运动轨迹,并根据研究区的地形地貌特点进一步确定了落石的影响范围。在野外调查和收集当地社会经济资料的基础上,开展了承灾体的易损性研究,对资产的易损性进行了评价。根据危岩失稳的概率及承灾体的易损性分析,进一步得到不同工况下落石影响区内承灾体的经济损失水平,对危岩崩塌灾害的风险进行了定量评价。风险评价的结果可为危岩崩塌灾害影响区的城镇建设和规划提供科学依据,从而有效地规避风险和减灾防灾。     

Quantifying the protective function of a forest against rockfall for past,present and future scenarios using two modelling approaches

Following a major rockfall event in 1987, two types of protection measures were taken in the village Saint Martin le Vinoux (French Alps). Firstly, technical measures using civil engineering were installed, and secondly, a forest management intervention to increase its protection was carried out. This study aims to assess whether this intervention was successful in the sense that it improved the protective function of the forest. We evaluated the rockfall risk for the situation of 1987 (before the intervention), today and the future, using model simulations with past, present and future vegetation cover scenarios. To increase the meaningfulness of our results, we used two different models, called Rockfor^.NET, which is a rapid one-dimensional rockfall forest evaluation tool, using simple slope and forest characteristics and RockyFor, a process based on three-dimensional rockfall simulation model that takes the barrier effect of individual trees explicitly into account. Both models correctly predicted that the forest was not capable of stopping rocks from the 1987 rockfall event. Further, both models indicate an increase of the number of rocks reaching the base of the slope from 1987 onwards. RockyFor shows an increase from 11% in 1987 to 19% in 2086. Rockfor^.NET shows an increase from 26% in 1987 to 56% in 2086. We conclude that a second attempt to increase the protective function of the forest should aim at restoring a dense coppice stand.     

Uncertainty assessment in quantitative rockfall risk assessment

This study shows a quantitative rockfall risk assessment (QRA) for a slope of the Feifeng Mountain (China), including an explicit assessment of the uncertainties. For rockfall risk analysis, the annual probability of occurrence, reach probability, temporal–spatial probability and vulnerability of tourists were calculated for both dry and rainy day conditions. The resulting individual risk for exposed people visiting the historical site can be considered as acceptable for all scenarios, whereas the overall societal risk lies within the as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP) zone and therefore requires some mitigation actions. For the explicit assessment of uncertainty, an error propagation technique (first-order second moment (FOSM)) was adopted, starting from expert knowledge heuristic estimations of the coefficient of variation for each component of the risk analysis procedure. As a result, coefficients of variation of the calculated risk were obtained, ranging from 48 to 132 %, thus demonstrating the importance of accounting for uncertainty in rockfall risk modelling. A multi-criteria methodology is also proposed for the assessment of the standard deviation of the parameters adopted for the stochastic rockfall run-out model.     

Rockfall hazard and risk analysis for Monte da Lua,Sintra, Portugal

The prediction of rockfall trajectories below a rock cliff is essential in susceptibility, hazard and risk maps, particularity close to populated areas. The Monte da Lua hill area in Portugal, a tourist destination close to the historic city of Sintra (UNESCO World Heritage), is a typical granite boulder chaos landscape where from time to time rockfalls occur, the last such event having occurred on 29 January 2002. This area is therefore suitable to develop a rockfall study in order to provide hazard and risk maps a basis for mitigation measures. A preliminary investigation of the area leads to the identification of 188 potentially dangerous boulders. Detailed locations and geotechnical characteristics in terms of geometry, strength and context were sampled for each boulder. Digital elevations at 1 × 1 m resolution, known rockfall trajectory and building locations are provided in a GIS project for the study together with the spatial database of boulder characteristics. The modelling approach was conducted in two steps: (1) discrimination of the boulders in terms of static and dynamic mobility behaviour with multivariate analysis; (2) stochastic simulation of rockfall trajectories. The rockfall trajectory algorithm proposed is straightforward and is only dependent on elevation data, initial location of boulders and a friction angle. Due to the slope of the area, it assumes that rockfall is always of the rolling or sliding type. The friction angle was calibrated on the basis of the rockfall travel distance recorded on 29 January 2002 and generates simulated “realistic” trajectories. A smaller friction angle increases all simulated trajectories, leading to more “pessimistic” scenarios. The combined analysis of trajectories and potential damage to buildings and discrimination in terms of static and dynamic behaviour provides a final table in which all 188 sampled boulders are classified in one of the five risk grades.     

四川罗家青杠岭崩塌风险的定量评价研究

我国多山,崩塌灾害频繁发生,相应的风险评价也得到了越来越多的关注。由于崩塌发生和运移过程的高度不确定性以及历史数据的不完备,往往很难进行相应的定量风险评价。四川罗家青杠岭的崩塌现场非常典型,而且现场资料较全、历史数据较多并且明确,是开展崩塌风险定量研究的很好实例。通过现场工程地质调查、测绘和统计分析,确定了历史崩塌的物源区、堆积区、最大运移距离、年发生概率以及坡体上的4块典型危岩体A-D。基于历史崩塌堆积区的块石统计特征以及物源区危岩体失稳启动位置的不确定性,利用二维Rockfall模拟软件对所在坡面的恢复系数及摩擦系数进行了反演。在此基础上,对危岩体A-D失稳后的运动特征进行了随机性数值模拟和统计分析,从而确定了崩塌的到达概率。基于崩塌发生概率、到达概率、承灾体时空分布概率和易损性的乘积,作者对罗家青杠岭崩塌进行了定量风险评价。评价结果表明,危岩体A和D的风险值处于不可接受的风险区间,块石B和C的风险值处于警告的风险区间,严重威胁着坡脚附近居民的生命财产安全,有必要采取相应的防灾减灾措施。     

重庆甑子岩崩塌落石动力学特征及危险性分区

针对重庆市南川区甑子岩危岩体面临的崩塌地质灾害问题,分析不同高度、不同规模的危岩体对东侧居民区的落石风险及危害性。以甑子岩处岩质边坡为研究对象,根据其结构面发育情况及崩塌落石特征确定模型尺寸,运用RocFall软件对崩塌落石的能量、速度、运动轨迹、落点位置及冲击力等进行模拟计算。以此对崩塌落石区进行落石风险评估,根据崩塌落石的动量和动能,按最危险原则法将崩塌落石的危险性分区,分为Ⅰ危险性极大、Ⅱ危险性大、Ⅲ危险性一般、Ⅳ危险性较小、Ⅴ无危险五个分区,并将此分区应用于甑子岩危岩体,评价崩子岩危岩体居民区的落石风险及危险性,确保居民安全。通过对崩塌落石区的危险性分区,可以用来指导居民区的安置和防护措施。     

Multi-scenario Rockfall Hazard Assessment Using LiDAR Data and GIS

Transportation corridors that pass through mountainous or hilly areas are prone to rockfall hazard. Rockfall incidents in such areas can cause human fatalities and damage to properties in addition to transportation interruptions. In Malaysia, the North–South Expressway is the most significant expressway that operates as the backbone of the peninsula. A portion of this expressway in Jelapang was chosen as the site of rockfall hazard assessment in multiple scenarios. Light detection and ranging techniques are indispensable in capturing high-resolution digital elevation models related to geohazard studies. An airborne laser scanner was used to create a high-density point cloud of the study area. The use of 3D rockfall process modeling in combination with geographic information system (GIS) is a beneficial tool in rockfall hazard studies. In this study, a 3D rockfall model integrated into GIS was used to derive rockfall trajectories and velocity associated with them in multiple scenarios based on a range of mechanical parameter values (coefficients of restitution and friction angle). Rockfall characteristics in terms of frequency, height, and energy were determined through raster modeling. Analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to compute the weight of each rockfall characteristic raster that affects rockfall hazard. A spatial model that considers rockfall characteristics was conducted to produce a rockfall hazard map. Moreover, a barrier location was proposed to eliminate rockfall hazard. As a result, rockfall trajectories and their characteristics were derived. The result of AHP shows that rockfall hazard was significantly influenced by rockfall energy and then by frequency and height. The areas at risk were delineated and the hazard percentage along the expressway was observed and demonstrated. The result also shows that with increasing mechanical parameter values, the rockfall trajectories and their characteristics, and consequently rockfall hazard, were increased. In addition, the suggested barrier effectively restrained most of the rockfall trajectories and eliminated the hazard along the expressway. This study can serve not only as a guide for a comprehensive investigation of rockfall hazard but also as a reference that decision makers can use in designing a risk mitigation method. Furthermore, this study is applicable in any rockfall study, especially in situations where mechanical parameters have no specific values.     

Rockfall risk assessment to persons travelling in vehicles along a road: the case study of the Amalfi coastal road (southern Italy)

The paper deals with the assessment of rockfall risk to persons travelling in vehicles along the SS163 road, an important transportation corridor supporting a high vehicle traffic within the well-known tourist area of the Amalfi Coast (southern Italy). To this aim, the Rockfall Hazard Rating System (RHRS) and quantitative risk assessment (QRA) procedures, in this latter case for three rockfall risk scenarios, are applied. With reference to a large portion (33.820 out of a total of 50.365 km) of the SS163 road, the obtained QRA results highlight that, although the estimated individual risk to life satisfies the adopted tolerable risk criterion, the computed societal risk cannot be tolerated. Starting from this result, site-specific QRA analyses—carried out with reference to some road sections chosen on the basis of the RHRS results—allow the detection of the SS163 portions where the individual risk to life exceeds the tolerable risk threshold and, then, the recourse to mitigation measures could reveal necessary. In this regard, RHRS and QRA methods can be considered complementary tools in prioritizing the road sections where construction funds can be profitably spent in order to mitigate the rockfall risk with reference to both direct consequences (life loss) and indirect ones (traffic delay and diversions).     

The impact of rockfalls on dwellings during the 2011 Christchurch,New Zealand,earthquakes

Rockfalls and debris avalanches triggered by earthquakes during the 2010–2011 Canterbury earthquake sequence killed five people and caused an estimated US$400 million in damages. In total, about 200 dwellings were directly impacted by some of the ~6000 rockfalls and debris avalanches that occurred across the Port Hills of Christchurch. This research presents the results of the analysis of a high-quality database of 61 individual rockfall impacts on 29 dwellings in the Port Hills of Christchurch, New Zealand. Dwellings in the Port Hills are typically simple timber-frame structures with wooden or unreinforced masonry cladding, comparable to most dwellings across New Zealand, North America, Australia, and elsewhere. Rockfall impacts on dwellings in this study were observed to follow a power law relationship between kinetic energy and (1) the runout distance into and through the dwelling and (2) the impacted area within the dwelling. The results have been quantified and are presented as a damage proportion, which is defined as the proportion of the area affected by an individual rock block inside the dwelling divided by the total area of the dwelling. These data provide a fundamental input for rockfall risk analysis and will allow the losses from rockfall impacts to be better constrained.     

崩塌落石冲击埋地油气管道的动力响应机理研究

高位崩塌落石是造成长输埋地油气管道破坏的主要地质灾害之一.本文通过111处山区管道崩塌案例分析,归纳出崩塌与埋地管道相互作用的3种模式:冲砸管道、牵引管道及埋没管道,其中冲砸管道的危害性最大,并建立了崩塌与管道相互作用的地质力学模型.采用有限元仿真软件系统模拟了落石冲击、土体与管道变形响应过程及影响因素,发现落石冲击管...     

尼泊尔某项目滚石灾害的工程地质调查与评价

滚石灾害是山区常见的地质灾害类型,研究滚石的运动特征对地质灾害调查及危险性评估有着重要意义.通过对尼泊尔某项目滚石灾害后现场进行工程地质调查,分析其灾害成因机制,查明事故原因.调查结果表明:9·15灾害非人类活动的影响,属自然地质灾害,造成事故的主要原因为超高位岩体崩塌,而滚石的范围又超过前期预测的危险区.通过现场痕迹...     

融合区域潜在落石源区识别的峡谷区落石危险性评价

山西壶关太行山大峡谷景区为中国最美十大峡谷之一,但景区落石灾害频发,严重威胁景区安全运营。本文基于高精度地形信息与岩土体强度特性,采用坡度角分布方法开展区域尺度潜在落石源区识别,并引入岩体破坏敏感性指标定量描述潜在落石源区失稳概率。然后,利用经验模型Flow-R模拟落石运动扩散过程,获取落石的传播概率与能量分布情况。最后,提出落石危险性双因子评价模型实现落石危险性定量评估。获得主要结论如下:(1)研究区内潜在落石源区面积为25.7 km2(35.7%),主要以条带状分布于峡谷两侧陡壁。其中岩体破坏高敏感性区为3.3 km2。(2)研究区落石高危险区面积达3.22 km2,主要威胁景区内游客集散地与交通线路,尤其在S327荫林线红豆峡入口处落石危险性最高。(3)野外调查验证结果表明了应用坡度角分布方法识别潜在落石源区的高效性与准确性,提出的双因子评价模型可为峡谷区落石危险性评估提供快速解决方案。本文提出的“区域落石源区识别-源区失稳概率分析-落石危险性评估”的一整套技术方案能够为类似的高山峡谷区落石灾害早期识别及风险防控提供技术参考。     

ROckfall risk MAnagement assessment: the RO.MA. approach

The analysis of risk for vehicles and drivers as a result of rockfall on a road is relevant to design management in geotechnical engineering. This process is very complex due to the large number of parameters involved. In this paper, we discuss risk analysis and management procedures for roads subject to rockfall phenomena. To this aims, we are proposing a quantitative method (the RO.MA. approach). We developed an abacus to define the threshold values of acceptable rockfall risk for a given road. Rockfall risk is calculated using an Event Tree approach and compared with the abacus thresholds to evaluate road safety and the need for additional protective measures to reduce the risk to an acceptable level. The approach was successfully applied at a test site located in Bard, Aosta Valley, north-western Italy.     

GIS-based evaluation of rockfall risk along routes in Greece

This article presents a GIS-based system, designed to assist in the management of rockfall risk along Greek routes. The system was developed in two stages; the field data collection led to the implementation of a rockfall rating system with its fundamental parameters, while the data process concluded to a rockfall data base and a GIS-based interface. The fundamental parameters were derived from the rockfall hazard rating system developed by Pierson et al. at the Oregon State Highway Division and provide a coherent approach to decide the type and the cost of protection measures to be applied in an area affected by rockfalls and presents highest rockfall risk. The system presented in this paper as well as the original system comprises exponential scoring functions that represent the increased hazard and reflected in nine categories forming the classification. The method presented in this paper modified certain categories from the original system which were described qualitatively and may lead to quite subjective estimations. These categories are ditch effectiveness; climate and presence of water on slope as well as rockfall history. Moreover, the original category “Geologic characteristic” was changed to Structural and Discontinuities Index; an index that relates blockiness of rock mass and orientation of joints with their weathering condition and their roughness. This index follows the classification of weathering and joint’s roughness suggested by International Society of Rock Mechanics, while other modifications regarding the categories “decision sight distance” and “roadway width” were applied based on Greek standards. An application of this modified method to a 3 km road which connects Athinios port and Fira, the capital of Santorini island, Greece, a high traffic intensity road where rockfalls periodically cause traffic interruptions is presented. The method was applied in fifteen cross sections of slopes adjacent to the road and the analyses showed increased risk and the need for urgent remedial works.     

A Review of Studies Dealing with Tree Rings and Rockfall Activity: The Role of Dendrogeomorphology in Natural Hazard Research

Over the last few years, rockfall research has increasingly focused on hazard assessment and risk analysis. Input data on past rockfall activity were gathered from historical archives and lichenometric studies or were obtained through frequency–volume statistics. However, historical records are generally scarce, and lichenometry may only yield data with relatively low resolutions. On forested slopes, in contrast, tree-ring analyses may help, generally providing annual data on past rockfall activity over long periods. It is the purpose of the present literature review to survey the current state of investigations dealing with tree-ring sequences and rockfall activity, with emphasis on the extent to which dendrogeomorphology may contribute to rockfall research. Firstly, a brief introduction describes how dendrogeomorphological methods can contribute to natural hazard research. Secondly, an account is provided of the output of dendrogeomorphological studies investigating frequencies, volumes or spatial distributions of past rockfall activity. The current and potential strengths of dendrogeomorphology are then presented before, finally, the weaknesses of tree rings as natural archives of past rockfall activity are discussed and promising directions for further studies outlined.     

Calibration and validation of rockfall modelling at regional scale: application along a roadway in Mallorca (Spain) and organization of its management

The Tramuntana range, in the northwestern sector of the island of Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain), is frequently affected by rockfalls which have caused significant damage, mainly along the road network. In this work, we present the procedure we have applied to calibrate and validate rockfall modelling in this region, using 103 cases of the available detailed rockfall inventory (630 rockfall events collected since the eighteenth century). We have exploited STONE (Guzzetti et al. 2002), a GIS-based rockfall simulation software which computes 2D and 3D rockfall trajectories starting from a DTM and maps of the dynamic rolling friction coefficient and of the normal and tangential energy restitution coefficients. The appropriate identification of these parameters determines the accuracy of the simulation. To calibrate them, we have selected 40 rockfalls along the range which include a wide variety of outcropping lithologies. Coefficients values have been changed in numerous attempts in order to select those where the extent and shape of the simulation matched the field mapping. Best results were summarized with the average statistical values for each parameter and for each geotechnical unit, determining that mode values represent more precisely the data. Initially, for the validation stage, 10 well-known rockfalls exploited in the calibration phase have been selected. Confidence tests have been applied to their modelling results taking into account not only the success but also the mistakes. The best accuracy is obtained when the rockfall has a preferential trajectory and worse results when the rockfall follows two or more trajectories. Additionally, the greater the rockfall runout length, the less precise the simulation is. We have further validated the calibrated parameters along the Ma-road (111 km), the main transportation corridor in the range, using 63 rockfall events that occurred during the past 18 years along the road. Of the rockfalls where source areas were properly identified, 81.5 % are well represented by STONE modelling, as the travel paths and the depositional areas are successfully ascertained. Results of the analysis have been used by the Road Maintenance Service of Mallorca to assess hazard and risk posed by rockfall at regional scale to design the road management plan.     

鄂西山区崩塌落石运动特征及危险性分析

以远安县瓦坡崩塌区为例,通过地质调查、野外测绘、无人机航拍,建立了瓦坡崩塌区三维模型,基于Rockfall Analyst（RA）分析软件,实现了瓦坡崩塌区大量崩塌落石三维空间下运动路径、高度、能量等要素模拟,探究了崩塌区落石的三维运动特征,开展了崩塌区落石危险性评估,为崩塌落石的防治提供科学参考。研究结果表明:崩塌区危岩主要破坏形式为倾倒式,目前处于欠稳定状态;模拟落石三维运动轨迹与已有落石点基本重合,说明此次模拟结果与实际情况较为吻合;落石运动过程中以碰撞弹跳、自由飞落为主,落石主要集中在崩塌区下部冲沟及公路内,部分落石达到居民区,在崩塌落石区下部公路、冲沟及崩塌区右侧危险性较高;崩塌落石防治工程建议采用危石孤石清除+被动防护网,在公路内侧、斜坡下方分别设置5 m高和3 m高抗冲击力2 000 kJ的被动防护网,可有效拦截落石。     

编目图数据形式对区域崩塌易发性评价结果的影响

本文以北京市怀柔区为例,通过现场调查,对688处崩塌灾害分别以面数据和点数据的形式获取了两套编目图。根据现场调查和资料分析,选取岩性、地形、断裂和道路建设作为该区崩塌灾害的主控因素,采用频率比(FR)模型对崩塌灾害的易发性进行了评价。为了对评价结果的预测性进行检验,采用随机分割法,选取了415处崩塌用于频率比模型的计算,剩余的273处崩塌用于评价结果预测性的验证。预测曲线表明,基于崩塌面数据的评价结果比基于点数据的评价结果具有明显的优越性。根据基于面数据的频率比模型评价结果,可以将研究区的崩塌灾害易发性划分为5个等级:较低易发(占全区14%)、低易发(占全区20%)、中等易发(占全区27%)、高易发(占全区22%)和极高易发(占全区17%)。相关工作和结论可以为区域地质灾害易发性评价中编目图的编制提供参考,并为怀柔区区域国土利用和防灾减灾提供指导。