Abstract. Steep, hardly accessible cliffs of rhyolite tuff in NE Hungary are prone to rockfalls, endangering visitors of a castle. Remote sensing techniques were employed to obtain data on terrain morphology and to provide slope geometry for assessing the stability of these rock walls. A RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) was used to collect images which were processed by Pix4D mapper (structure from motion technology) to generate a point cloud and mesh. The georeferencing was made by Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) with the use of seven ground control points. The obtained digital surface model (DSM) was processed (vegetation removal) and the derived digital terrain model (DTM) allowed cross sections to be drawn and a joint system to be detected. Joint and discontinuity system was also verified by field measurements. On-site tests as well as laboratory tests provided additional engineering geological data for slope modelling. Stability of cliffs was assessed by 2-D FEM (finite element method). Global analyses of cross sections show that weak intercalating tuff layers may serve as potential slip surfaces. However, at present the greatest hazard is related to planar failure along ENE-WSW joints and to wedge failure. The paper demonstrates that RPAS is a rapid and useful tool for generating a reliable terrain model of hardly accessible cliff faces. It also emphasizes the efficiency of RPAS in rockfall hazard assessment in comparison with other remote sensing techniques such as terrestrial laser scanning (TLS).
A 3D surface model of an active limestone quarry and a vegetation-covered plateau was created using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technique in combination with terrestrial laser scanning (TLS). The aim of the research was to identify major fault zones that dissect the inaccessible quarry faces and to prepare a model that shows the location of these fault zones at the entire study area. An additional purpose was to calculate reserves of the four identified lithological units. It was only possible to measure faults at the lowermost two meters of the quarry faces. At the upper parts of the quarry and on the vegetation-covered plateau where no field geological information was available, remote sensing was used. Former logs of core drillings were obtained for the modelling of the spatial distribution of four lithological units representing cover beds and various quality of limestone reserves. With the comparison of core data, field measurements and remote sensing, it was possible to depict major faults. Waste material volumes and limestone reserves were calculated for five blocks that are surrounded by these faults. The paper demonstrates that, with remote sensing and with localised control field measurements, it is possible: (a) to provide all geometric data of faults and (b) to create a 3D model with fault planes even at no exposure or at hardly accessible areas. The surface model with detected faults serves as a basis for calculating geological reserves.
Abstract. Low strength rhyolite tuff forms steep cliffs in NE Hungary. A multi-dimensional approach including field analysis and laboratory tests was conducted to understand the mechanical properties of the tuff and to measure discontinuity 10 surfaces. With the help of RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) and TLS (Terrestrial Laser Scanning), a digital terrain model (DTM) was generated, and the results of these surveys were compared. Cross sections and joint system data were obtained from DTM and used as input parameters for the slope stability analyses. The rocky slope was modelled by 2D FEM (Finite Element Method) software and potential hazards such as planar failure, wedge failure and toppling were identified.The paper demonstrates the usefulness of combined field analyses, geomechanical laboratory testing and various remote 15 sensing techniques (such as RPAS and TLS) in rock face stability calculations and failure mode analysis.
Stone masonry arch bridges in North Hungary represent cultural heritage values. For the maintenance and preservation of these bridges detailed mapping of lithologies and weathering forms are required. The purpose of this paper is to present the identified lithotypes, their conditions (weathering grade) and their petrophysical properties by using in situ lithological mapping, documentation of weathering forms, non-destructive tests and laboratory analyses. Furthermore these analyses demonstrate the difficulties of characterization and diagnostics of the historical construction materials. Additionally the results of condition assessments and the properties of the four different dimension stones from four different sites provide examples for the large dissimilarities regarding the strength parameters. The above-listed parameters are required as input data for stability calculations and modeling of these structures.
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