Abstract
In the former quarry near Spitz an der Donau (Austria), many rockfalls have occurred during operation as well as after closure. They have endangered a railway, the Wachau bicycle route, an important road, and the left Danube riverbank. Thus, future detachment scenarios were investigated and, in addition, weather and occurrence statistics were analyzed to determine the occurrence probabilities of these scenarios. Simulations of possible future rockslides were performed using the Distinct Element Code 3DEC in order to estimate the damage caused by these events. Based on these results, the risks of the scenarios were calculated according to the definition of risk as the product of damage and occurrence probability. By this means, the profitability of mitigation measures (e.g., a massive retaining structure fixed to the ground by bored piles) can be evaluated.
Highlights
The former quarry of Spitz is situated approximately 1.5 km south-southwest of the township of Spitz an der Donau on the left Danube riverbank
The profitability of mitigation measures can be evaluated
The present situation poses a hazard of undetermined intensity to a railway, the Wachau bicycle route (300,000 users/year), a principal road as well as the left Danube riverbank
Summary
The former quarry of Spitz is situated approximately 1.5 km south-southwest of the township of Spitz an der Donau on the left Danube riverbank. A rockslide 5 years after excavation stopped in 1997 occurred after a rainfall event, the return period of which was determined by statistical methods to be between 80 and 400 years. Damages consist of the costs of rockslide debris removal and reconstruction of the traffic routes. There direct damages consist of the costs of rockslide debris removal and reconstruction of the traffic routes. Will no be social and environmental damages and, and, ,indirect consequences willwill consist only of Therebewill no social and environmental damages indirect consequences consist only economic damages, such asas reduction ofof tourism of economic damages, such reduction tourismand anddetours detoursofoflocal localinhabitants inhabitantsand andof ofenterprises For this reason, the travel distances (“runouts”) of two detachment scenarios have been calculated using the thethree-dimensional, three-dimensional,numerical numerical. Considerations like these make comprehensible decisions regarding the construction mitigation measures by authorities and decision-makers possible
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