Evaluation of the stability of a rock cliff by means of geophysical and geomechanical surveys in a cultural heritage site (south-eastern Sicily)

Pappalardo, G.; Imposa, Sebastiano; Mineo, Simone; Grassi, Sabrina

doi:10.3301/ijg.2015.31

Cited by 32 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 47 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Under low normal stress, rock mass behavior is controlled by sliding along existing discontinuities rather than failure of the intact rock material [1]. Thus, the shear behavior of rock joints plays a key role in the safety and stability of underground mining [2][3][4][5][6]. The roughness of rock joints is recognized as one of the most important parameters affecting mechanical behavior [7][8][9][10][11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A New Characterization Method for Rock Joint Roughness Considering the Mechanical Contribution of Each Asperity Order

Yuan

Luo

et al. 2021

Applied Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The morphology of the joint surface is multi-scale, and it can be divided into first-order asperity (waviness) and second-order asperity (unevenness). At present, the joint roughness characterization formula considers only the morphology contribution of waviness and unevenness components and does not fully consider their mechanical contribution. At same time, the relationship between the mechanical contribution and the morphology contribution is still unclear. Thus, the characterization formula considering the mechanical contribution of waviness and unevenness needs to be further studied. In this study, the standard joint roughness coefficient (JRC) profiles were first decomposed into waviness and unevenness. Then, three types of joint specimens with different asperity orders (flat, the standard JRC profile, and the profile containing only waviness) were prepared by the 3D engraving technique. Finally, direct shear tests were carried out on 39 sets of red sandstone joint specimens under three normal stresses. The mechanical contributions of waviness and unevenness were studied, the relationship between the mechanical contribution and the morphology contribution of waviness and unevenness was analyzed, and the characterization formula considering the mechanical contribution of waviness and unevenness was established. The results showed that the following: (1) the method combining the ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) and the critical decomposition level could be used to separate the waviness and unevenness from the joint surface; (2) the mechanical contribution of the waviness and unevenness decreased with the increase in normal stress; (3) the relationship between the mechanical contribution ratio and the statistical parameter ratio of the waviness and unevenness can be describe by power function; and (4) the roughness characterization formula considering the mechanical contribution and morphology contribution was established. This study will enhance the accurate evaluation of the roughness coefficient and shear strength of the joint specimen.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A New Characterization Method for Rock Joint Roughness Considering the Mechanical Contribution of Each Asperity Order

Yuan

Luo

et al. 2021

Applied Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Every year, natural disasters cause loss of life and damage to property, including heritage sites, as well as damage to the environment [3][4][5]. The most remarkable natural events usually threatening the fruition of such areas are earthquakes (e.g., [6][7][8]) and landslides (e.g., [9][10][11][12][13]). These two phenomena can be often associated, as a seismic event can be considered a trigger of landslide movements [14][15][16][17][18][19].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainable Fruition of Cultural Heritage in Areas Affected by Rockfalls

Mineo

Pappalardo

2019

Sustainability

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This paper deals with the evaluation of rockfall risk in cultural heritage, in the frame of a quick protocol for a preliminary zonation, to ensure the safe management and sustainable fruition of the sites. Several historical complexes in mountainous areas are indeed threatened by rock slope instability, and rockfalls can be counted among the main causes of fatality. In such a complex, a rockfall risk zonation would represent a useful management tool for both the choice of specific safe tourist paths, but also for the proper employment of economic resources allocated for mitigation measures. Nevertheless, the management of cultural heritage lacks such plans and tourists are often exposed to risks, while funds are often employed without a specific priority. In this paper, a quick procedure was tested at the historical complex of Taormina (southern Italy), which hosts numerous tourist spots often affected by rockfalls. The Saracen castle, for example, is currently closed to the public due to the rockfalls that repeatedly affected the entrance road, while Castelmola village, counted among one of the most beautiful Italian villages, stands on the top of a cliff affected by frequent rockfalls involving the only access road. The approach is composed of several steps and requires a heavy site characterization in terms of historical records and geostructural setting. The risk assessment procedure was chosen among the semiquantitative ones available in literature, and the final assessed risk was represented on a thematic map to provide a tool which could be used as a base for the planning of final remedial works.

show abstract

“…HVSR inversion produce 1D S-wave velocity models that are used to estimate the depth of the seismic bedrock and thickness and seismic velocity of the overburden deposits [Fäh et al, 2003;Grippa et al, 2011;Bignardi et al, 2016;Borges et al, 2016;Martorana et al, 2017;Picotti et al, 2017]. The wide uncertainty margins of the HVSR inverse models can be reduced using data from other geophysical methods as a priori constraints [Scherbaumet al, 2003;Arai & Tokimatsu 2004;Parolai et al, 2005;Picozzi et al, 2005;Imposa et al, 2016;Pappalardo et al, 2016;Imposa et al, 2017;Picotti et al, 2017].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contribution of HVSR measures for seismic microzonation studies

Martorana

Capizzi²,

D’Alessandro³

et al. 2018

Annals of Geophysics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The HVSR method applied to seismic noise can be a very useful technique to map the site effects of the territory, to identify the thickness of the soft covering and so the depth of the seismic bedrock. The case of the urban area of Oliveri is presented. Because of its high seismic hazard this area has been subject of first level seismic microzonation. The town lies on a large coastal plain made of mixed fluvial/marine sediments, overlapping a deformed substrate. In order to identify points on the area probably suffering of relevant site effects and to define a preliminary Vs subsurface model, 23 HVSR measurements were performed. A clustering technique of continuous signals has been used to optimize the calculation of the HVSR curves and 42 reliable peaks, in the frequency range 0.1-20 Hz, have been identified. A second clustering technique has been applied to the set of 42 vectors, containing coordinates, frequency and amplitude of each peak, to identify subsets attributed to the same seismic discontinuities. Three main clusters have been identified. The two characterized by lower frequencies have been considered in the HVSR data inversion, as stratigraphic peaks probably caused by the seismic bedrock. Finally, the morphology of the top of the seismic bedrock has been mapped. The deepening of the seismic bedrock below the mouth of the Elicona Torrent suggests the possible presence of a buried paleo-valley.

show abstract

Evaluation of the stability of a rock cliff by means of geophysical and geomechanical surveys in a cultural heritage site (south-eastern Sicily)

Cited by 32 publications

References 47 publications

A New Characterization Method for Rock Joint Roughness Considering the Mechanical Contribution of Each Asperity Order

A New Characterization Method for Rock Joint Roughness Considering the Mechanical Contribution of Each Asperity Order

Sustainable Fruition of Cultural Heritage in Areas Affected by Rockfalls

Contribution of HVSR measures for seismic microzonation studies

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About