Abstract
Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) enables the digital representation of rock outcrops with unprecedented resolution and accuracy. Currently, extracting full-scale block structures from raw TLS data (e.g. for assessing rockfall source areas) requires special techniques. This contribution describes processing methods for reconstructing three-dimensional representations of blocky rock masses from raw point cloud data. The developed workflow involves extracting structural and topographical details, fitting location-dependent discontinuities bounding the rock blocks, and reconstructing the block array embedded in three-dimensional geomorphology. The method is applied to a case study of the 2013 Long-Chang rockfall located in the Guizhou Province of China. Based on these initial results, the workflow will be applied to rockfall source evaluations throughout the karstified Kaili region within Guizhou.
Highlights
Slope engineering in blocky rock masses requires a thorough understanding of the rock mass discontinuity structure, and how the discontinuities intersect with topography to form kinematically removable blocks
Location-dependent rock structure is quantified by assigning a specific HSV color based on the normal
A video recording the right collapse confirms our reconstruction of the failure sequence. Measured point clouds, such as obtained with high-resolution terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), are of great value where direct contact measurement is precluded by terrain or safety constraints
Summary
Slope engineering in blocky rock masses requires a thorough understanding of the rock mass discontinuity structure, and how the discontinuities intersect with topography to form kinematically removable blocks. The set-based discontinuity orientation, location and 3-dimensional extent of block–forming discontinuities are of particular importance. The necessary data for rock slope engineering are measured using contact-analog methods, where a compass is placed on the rock surface to perform scanline and window mapping. Hazardous conditions in rugged alpine areas can preclude direct contact measurements. In such cases, remote outcrop characterization using terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) offers significant advantages. Sturzenegger and Stead 2009; Abellán et al 2014) have shown successful applications of TLS for characterizing rock slopes and performing rock slope monitoring Recent reviews (e.g. Sturzenegger and Stead 2009; Abellán et al 2014) have shown successful applications of TLS for characterizing rock slopes and performing rock slope monitoring
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