Rockfall analysis in the area of Kakia Skala, Greece

Abstract

Because rockfalls cause significant hazard on human activities and infrastructure, the rockfall analysis is considered to be very important along roads and on other geotechnical works. Especially, in Greece owing to the complexity of geological structure, the tectonic characteristics, the climate and the high seismicity, this analysis is of great importance. This paper presents the topographical, geological, tectonic and seismic features and determines the Rock Mass Rating and Rockfall Hazard Rating System values of the tectonically disturbed limestones in the area of “Kakia Skala”, which is part of the “Patra–Athens–Thessaloniki–Evzoni (P.A.TH.E.)” motorway—one of the most major highways in Greece. For this reason, after geological and geomorphological investigations, bibliographic references and the characteristics of the road construction (tunnels, embankments, trenches, etc.), the most dangerous positions were identified (eight). Finally, the two most dangerous sites were selected for separate rockfall analysis. The RocFall software is used for the estimation of the unstable blocks trajectories and their kinematic characteristics. The appropriate support measure, with the right dimensions, is selected according to the kinetic energy of the falling rocks, and it is placed at the appropriate location.