Abstract
Abstract. Remote sensing techniques can be used to gain a more detailed understanding of hazardous rock slopes along railway corridors that would otherwise be inaccessible. Multiple datasets can be used to identify changes over time, creating an inventory of events to produce magnitude–frequency relationships for rockfalls sourced on the slope. This study presents a method for using the remotely sensed data to develop inputs to rockfall simulations, including rockfall source locations and slope material parameters, which can be used to determine the likelihood of a rockfall impacting the railway tracks given its source zone location and volume. The results of the simulations can be related to the rockfall inventory to develop modified magnitude–frequency curves presenting a more realistic estimate of the hazard. These methods were developed using the RockyFor3D software and lidar and photogrammetry data collected over several years at White Canyon, British Columbia, Canada, where the Canadian National (CN) Rail main line runs along the base of the slope. Rockfalls sourced closer to the tracks were more likely to be deposited on the track or in the ditch, and of these, rockfalls between 0.1 and 10 m3 were the most likely to be deposited. Smaller blocks did not travel far enough to reach the bottom of the slope and larger blocks were deposited past the tracks. Applying the results of the simulations to a database of over 2000 rockfall events, a modified magnitude–frequency can be created, allowing the frequency of rockfalls deposited on the railway tracks or in ditches to be determined. Suggestions are made for future development of the methods including refinement of input parameters and extension to other modelling packages.
Highlights
Railways in western Canada are subject to frequent rockfall hazards, which can be evaluated using remotely sensed data, derived from lidar or structure from motion (SfM) photogrammetry
This study investigates how detailed remote sensing data of multiple types can be incorporated into rockfall simulations, to create representative surface models and to develop input parameters for rockfall source zones and slope characteristics
We present a method that uses the results of the rockfall simulations to determine the likelihood of a rockfall impacting the railway tracks given its volume and source zone location
Summary
Railways in western Canada are subject to frequent rockfall hazards, which can be evaluated using remotely sensed data, derived from lidar or structure from motion (SfM) photogrammetry Often, these technologies provide advantages over traditional methods of data collection on steep and inaccessible slopes, such as the ability to identify rockfall release points, which can be a large source of uncertainty in developing rockfall magnitude–frequency relationships (Corominas et al, 2018). The use of 2.5-D and 3-D environments for computer based rockfall modelling provides advantages over traditional 2-D methods, as the entire slope can be examined without having to draw cross-sections through selected areas and model along only those paths (Lan et al, 2010; Ondercin et al, 2014)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
