Establishing Rockfall Hazards Through the Characteristics of Moving Rock Blocks

Abstract

Rockfall constitutes one of the most disastrous hazards as it involves very rapid movements of rock blocks. Chunks of rock detach from steep slopes and undergo several kinds of motion like falling, rolling, bouncing and sliding due to gravity. Rockfall behavior is greatly influenced by the slope geometry, rock properties and contact properties. These hazards are characterized by certain rockfall parameters like bounce height, maximum runout distance, velocity attained and kinetic energy of the moving rock blocks that can be determined from their simulation. It is therefore prudent to understand the effect of characteristics like shape, size and density of the falling rock blocks on these rockfall parameters. Hence, in the present study, an attempt has been made to establish rockfall hazards through the characteristics of rock blocks. The slope geometry and other properties have been taken from the literature. It has been found that density of the rock blocks does not influence the propensity of the rockfall hazard but their shape and size acts as primary influencing factors. Additionally, sharpness of the edges of the rock blocks was also found to have a marked influence on the rockfall parameters. The impact energy exerted by the falling rocks on the barrier was also studied considering the effect of their shape and size characteristics.