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Stability Assessment of Natural Caves Using Empirical Approaches and Rock Mass Classifications

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Abstract

The stability of underground voids such as caves can be assessed, in an initial approximation, by geomechanical classifications such as the Barton Q index. From a geomechanical viewpoint, the stability of 137 large span natural caves was analyzed herein. The caves were graphically represented based on existing tunnel and underground graphs, according to width and rock quality index Q. Many natural caves analyzed by a tunnel-type engineering approach could result as apparently unstable when represented in empirical existing graphics and would require reinforcements incompatible with speleothems and large chamber heights. A new graph and equation are proposed herein for the maximum span, for the exclusive case of caves, resulting in a reliable representation of large stable natural caves. The main contribution is a new stability chart for natural caves, consisting of two zones: a zone where stable caves are represented and a zone where unstable caves and collapsed caves are located.

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Acknowledgements

Special thanks are given to the Prometeo Project of the Secretary of Superior Education, Science, Technology and Innovation of the Republic of Ecuador, for the funding; to the National Park of Galapagos in Ecuador, for the facilities made available for field work and logistics (research permit nº PC-74-15A); to Theofilos Toulkeridis, for his help in situ on the lava tunnels of Galapagos; to Carsten Peter, Andy Eavis and Tony Waltham for the information provided on the largest caves in the world. Thanks are extended to all involved in providing data on Spanish caves: Juan Jose Duran Valsero, Rafael Pagés, Rebeca Martín, Guiem Mulet, Ovidio Altable, Sergio Laburu, Roberto Garcia “Rupo,” Iraide from the tourist office of Karrantza, Orlando and Luis from Casa de Los Volcanes in Lanzarote and last but not least Timanfaya National Park in Spain. Special Thanks to Ana López for her logistics support and data collection in Galapagos and Lanzarote; to Roberto Chan for the graphic layout; and finally, to Jerry Wooldridge and National Geographic Creative for the photographic permission.

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  1. Instituto Geológico y Minero de España (IGME), Rios Rosas 23, 28003, Madrid, Spain

    L. Jordá-Bordehore

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  1. L. Jordá-Bordehore
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Correspondence to L. Jordá-Bordehore.

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Jordá-Bordehore, L. Stability Assessment of Natural Caves Using Empirical Approaches and Rock Mass Classifications. Rock Mech Rock Eng 50, 2143–2154 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-017-1216-0

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