Abstract

Marble quarries are quite dangerous environments in which rock falls may occur. As many workers operate in these sites, it is necessary to deal with the matter of safety at work, checking and monitoring the stability conditions of the rock mass. In this paper, some results of an innovative analysis method are shown. It is based on the combination of Distributed Optical Fiber Sensors (DOFS), digital photogrammetry through Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), topographic, and geotechnical monitoring systems. Although DOFS are currently widely used for studying infrastructures, buildings and landslides, their use in rock marble quarries represents an element of peculiarity. The complex morphologies and the intense temperature range that characterize this environment make this application original. The selected test site is the Lorano open pit which is located in the Apuan Alps (Italy); here, a monitoring system consisting of extensometers, crackmeters, clinometers and a Robotic Total Station has been operating since 2012. From DOFS measurements, strain and temperature values were obtained and validated with displacement data from topographic and geotechnical instruments. These results may provide useful fundamental indications about the rock mass stability for the safety at work and the long-term planning of mining activities.

Highlights

  • Due to its geological characteristics, in Italy, extraction sites are widely diffused in all regions [1].In particular, the Tuscany Region is characterized by the presence of marble quarries that represent the strong economic activity for the area

  • Some results of an innovative analysis method are shown. It is based on the combination of Distributed Optical Fiber Sensors (DOFS), digital photogrammetry through Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), topographic, and geotechnical monitoring systems

  • DOFS are currently widely used for studying infrastructures, buildings and landslides, their use in rock marble quarries represents an element of peculiarity

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Summary

Introduction

Due to its geological characteristics, in Italy, extraction sites are widely diffused in all regions [1]. The Tuscany Region is characterized by the presence of marble quarries that represent the strong economic activity for the area. The only province of Massa-Carrara in the year 2016 extracted. 844,000 tons of marble blocks [2]. Despite their economic importance, marble quarries are quite dangerous environments in which rock falls and accidents may occur. As many workers operate in these sites, it is necessary to deal with the issue of safety at work. The use of innovative technologies and the analysis of the stability of quarry slopes can contribute to improving the conditions of safety in the workplace

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