Abstract
In recent years, there was an increasing number of studies focusing on rockfalls due to their impacts on social and sustainable development. This work carries out a three-dimensional (3D) simulation of rockfalls at a cultural heritage site nearby the village of Cortes de Pallás (Valencian Community, East Spain). The simulation is based on data collected previously, during an emergency declaration due to the occurrence of a considerable rockfall (7980 m3) on the southern bank of the Cortes de Pallás reservoir, on 6 April 2015. The hydroelectric power plant was damaged, and the main access road to the village of Cortes de Pallás was blocked for eight months. The predominant discontinuities of the rock mass were analyzed by means of the application of structure from motion (SfM) photogrammetry techniques to the set of images taken by remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS). The average size of the block was determined as 3.2 m in diameter and 17.6 m3 in volume. Additionally, a digital elevation model (DEM) was generated from an aerial laser scanning (ALS)-derived point cloud using a 1 × 1 grid. These data were implemented in RocPro3D software, obtaining the distances traveled by the blocks detached from different source areas at a cultural heritage site located near the rockfall event, which presents the same geological context. The simulation presented herein shows aggravating circumstances that endanger the cultural heritage area, with higher rockfall hazards than previous official studies (1991) displayed.
Highlights
Rockfalls are the most frequent and dangerous rock movements in mountainous zones, generating high economic and social damages [1,2]
From the images obtained with remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) flights over the rockfall event that occurred on 6 April 2015, a 3D cloud point was generated for the detached wall through the application of structure from motion (SfM)/MVS techniques (Figure 5)
The 3D point cloud of the detached area waTshigsesnteerpatwedasucsainrrgietdheouStfMdu/MrinVgSthteechstnaitqeuoef.y.ATnhaely3sDis poof inthteclsotuuddyofatrheae dshetoawchsefdour (as1tra4es(ot5a1tif◦sa4w/ett5iia1ac°sc6/ast1hi◦lcgl6)yad.e°l)niSlr.syeeecSltroeeraJnevt2tletaJeiw2dnnvtwuaausdnisatitirysnsedcrgjseoeeicstjntehtctepcoeidtnrneSoutpdfviiMnotipdyus/oteiesstMdeyrtietVotsrshriSe(oelFtyrtsmielgbyc(eueFhbacringaeneicuuq8vasru)uaee:elsJiu8et1(eF)wi:(sit3gJaow21usf0rat(t◦esh3h/2e7et7h0)s2n.°el◦/oAo7)srp,2lnmoJe°a2p)alp,ye(ll3Jsasp25inpsl6ae(ao◦3.nc/f5iTen68t.hh°6gTe/e◦:8h)Jas6,e1tn°Ju)3aa(,2dnl(y.Jya263sl2iayms0(rs2◦eo)i2/,saf0J8ots3°h8hf/8◦(eot2)8hwp,.°3eaa)s,nmtpcfadaoh)nt,ueJcda4srhneJd4s of eJ4ac(h2.9dimsc)o.ntinuity set provided the mean values of the normal spacing: J1 (2.6 m), J3 (2.3 m), and J4 (2.9 m)
Summary
Rockfalls are the most frequent and dangerous rock movements in mountainous zones, generating high economic and social damages [1,2]. From source areas located in the rock. The source areas that originate the movements are mostly controlled by existing discontinuities, such as joints, faults, etc. Recent studies include the effect of the fragmentation of blocks during impact, which can considerably modify trajectories, extensions, rebound heights, and simulated speeds [16,17]. Ruiz-Carulla et al [18] developed the rockfall fractal fragmentation model (RFFM), where rock fragmentation starts with the disaggregation of the rock, from pre-existing discontinuities. The correct identification of the discontinuities that affect the rock mass is crucial for successful modeling, as it determines the size of the block, which is a fundamental parameter
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