Numerical Simulation of Rockfall Protection Embankments in Natural Soil
Rockfall events represent a significant hazard in mountainous regions, putting human safety and critical infrastructure at risk. Various mitigation devices are available, among which, Rockfall protection embankments (RPEs) located in natural soil are passive defense work suitable for high-energy and...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Geosciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/13/12/368 |
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| author | Stefano Vigna Maddalena Marchelli Valerio De Biagi Daniele Peila |
| author_facet | Stefano Vigna Maddalena Marchelli Valerio De Biagi Daniele Peila |
| author_sort | Stefano Vigna |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Rockfall events represent a significant hazard in mountainous regions, putting human safety and critical infrastructure at risk. Various mitigation devices are available, among which, Rockfall protection embankments (RPEs) located in natural soil are passive defense work suitable for high-energy and high-frequency events. Currently, limited research has been conducted in this area, with the Austrian standard ONR 24810 providing the sole codified design method. A parametrical analysis involving both the RPE geometry and the impact features was developed by Abaqus/Explicit FEM code, with 2270 cases overall. The research aims to identify conditions under which RPEs effectively stop falling blocks, focusing on two failure mechanisms: the block pass over the RPE after impacting the upstream side bank and the RPE structural collapse. Additionally, the interaction between RPEs and their foundations during the impact is explored. The results provide valuable insights into the dynamic behavior of these structures. In terms of design considerations, this study offers analytical equations to quantify crater depth and foundation stress induced by the impact. Furthermore, design charts are developed to assess the block passing over verification and the structural collapse verification. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:43:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-361f8261614e4cdabbe533c5d12b90bb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3263 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:43:36Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geosciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-361f8261614e4cdabbe533c5d12b90bb2023-12-22T14:11:35ZengMDPI AGGeosciences2076-32632023-11-01131236810.3390/geosciences13120368Numerical Simulation of Rockfall Protection Embankments in Natural SoilStefano Vigna0Maddalena Marchelli1Valerio De Biagi2Daniele Peila3DIATI, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 20, 10129 Torino, ItalyDISEG, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 20, 10129 Torino, ItalyDISEG, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 20, 10129 Torino, ItalyDIATI, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 20, 10129 Torino, ItalyRockfall events represent a significant hazard in mountainous regions, putting human safety and critical infrastructure at risk. Various mitigation devices are available, among which, Rockfall protection embankments (RPEs) located in natural soil are passive defense work suitable for high-energy and high-frequency events. Currently, limited research has been conducted in this area, with the Austrian standard ONR 24810 providing the sole codified design method. A parametrical analysis involving both the RPE geometry and the impact features was developed by Abaqus/Explicit FEM code, with 2270 cases overall. The research aims to identify conditions under which RPEs effectively stop falling blocks, focusing on two failure mechanisms: the block pass over the RPE after impacting the upstream side bank and the RPE structural collapse. Additionally, the interaction between RPEs and their foundations during the impact is explored. The results provide valuable insights into the dynamic behavior of these structures. In terms of design considerations, this study offers analytical equations to quantify crater depth and foundation stress induced by the impact. Furthermore, design charts are developed to assess the block passing over verification and the structural collapse verification.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/13/12/368rockfallnumerical methodembankmentscalibrationdesign toolsparametrical analysis |
| spellingShingle | Stefano Vigna Maddalena Marchelli Valerio De Biagi Daniele Peila Numerical Simulation of Rockfall Protection Embankments in Natural Soil Geosciences rockfall numerical method embankments calibration design tools parametrical analysis |
| title | Numerical Simulation of Rockfall Protection Embankments in Natural Soil |
| title_full | Numerical Simulation of Rockfall Protection Embankments in Natural Soil |
| title_fullStr | Numerical Simulation of Rockfall Protection Embankments in Natural Soil |
| title_full_unstemmed | Numerical Simulation of Rockfall Protection Embankments in Natural Soil |
| title_short | Numerical Simulation of Rockfall Protection Embankments in Natural Soil |
| title_sort | numerical simulation of rockfall protection embankments in natural soil |
| topic | rockfall numerical method embankments calibration design tools parametrical analysis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/13/12/368 |
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