Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Quantitative rockfall risk assessment for an important road by means of the rockfall risk management (RO.MA.) method

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper deals with a quantitative risk analysis, performed using the rockfall risk management (RO.MA.) method, for a road affected by rockfalls. This approach allows evaluating the rockfall risk, also considering existing protection devices. Rockfall hazard and risk were assessed for an important and very busy road stretch linking Positano to Amalfi in the Campania region of southern Italy. An estimate of the rockfall return periods for assigned volume classes was obtained using the magnitude–frequency curves (MFCs) computed through the analysis of a rockfall inventory covering a time span from 1996 to 2008. For rockfall volumes of 0.1, 1.0, and 10 m3, using a 2D trajectory simulating code, the involved kinetic energies and run-out distances of boulders that may hit the road were calculated. The risk, expressed as the annual probability of a fatal accident for the three rockfall hazard scenarios has been evaluated both without and with protection devices, respectively. The total final risk is given by the sum of partial risks related to the three scenarios. The analysis showed that regardless of whether there are any rockfall protection devices, the total risk remains almost constant. This is due to the wide spread of slopes protected with inadequate restraining metallic nets characterized by decreasing catching capacities, as possible rockfall magnitude increases. The individual risk is not acceptable, and some actions are requested in order to lower it.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agliardi F, Crosta GB, Frattini P (2009) Integrating rockfall risk assessment and countermeasure design by 3D modelling techniques. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 9:1059–1073

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • AGS, Australian Geomechanics Society (2007) Guideline for landslide susceptibility, hazard and risk zoning for land use planning. Aust Geomech 42(1):13–36 (ISSN 0818-9110)

    Google Scholar 

  • Archetti R, Lamberti A (2003) Assessment of risk due to debris flow events. Nat Hazards Rev 4(3):115–125

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bieniawski ZT (1989) Engineering rock mass classifications. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonardi G, Ciarcia S, Di Nocera S, Matano F, Sgrosso I, Torre M (2009) Carta delle principali unità cinematiche dell’appennino meridionale—nota illustrative. It J Geosci 128:47–60 (in Italian)

    Google Scholar 

  • Budetta P (2002) Risk assessment from debris flows in pyroclastic deposits along a motorway, Italy. Bull Eng Geol Env 61:293–301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Budetta P, Nappi M (2013) Comparison between qualitative rockfall risk rating systems for a road affected by high traffic intensity. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 13:1643–1653

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Budetta P, Santo A (1994) Morphostructural evolution and related kinematics of rockfalls in Campania (southern Italy): a case study. Eng Geol 36:197–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bunce CM, Cruden DM, Morgenstern NR (1997) Assessment of the hazard from rockfall on a highway. Can Geotech J 34:344–356

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cantarella GE, De Luca S (2006) Studio della mobilità in Costiera Amalfitana per un sistema integrato di trasporto collettivo, Research report, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Salerno, Italy, p 105 (in Italian)

  • Corominas J, Moya J (2008) A review of assessing landslide frequency for hazard zoning purposes. Eng Geol 102:193–213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corominas J, van Westen C, Frattini P, Cascini L, Malet JP, Fotopoulou S, Catani F, Van Den Eeckhaut M, Mavrouli O, Agliardi F, Pitilakis K, Winter MG, Pastor M, Ferlisi S, Tofani V, Hervàs J, Smith JT (2014) Recommendations for the quantitative analysis of landslide risk. Bull Eng Geol Environ 73:209–263

    Google Scholar 

  • Dai FC, Lee CF, Ngai YY (2002) Landslide risk assessment and management: an overview. Eng Geol 64:65–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Di Crescenzo G, Santo A (2007) High-resolution mapping of rock fall instability through the integration of photogrammetric, geomorphological and engineering–geological surveys. Quatern Int 171–172:118–130. doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2007.03.025

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dussauge C, Grasso JR, Helmstetter A (2003) Statistical analysis of rockfall volume distributions: implications for rockfall dynamics. J of Geoph Res 108(B6):2286. doi:10.1029/2001JB000650

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fell R, Ho KKS, Lacasse S, Leroi E (2005) A framework for landslide risk assessment and management. In: Hungr O, Fell R, Couture R, Eberhardt E (eds) Proc landslides risk management. Taylor and Francis Group, London, pp 3–26 (ISBN: 04 1538 043X)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferlisi S, Cascini L, Corominas J, Matano F (2012) Rockfall risk assessment to persons travelling in vehicles along a road: the case study of the Amalfi coastal road (southern Italy). Nat Hazards 62:691–721

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gentilini C, Govoni L, de Miranda S, Gottardi G, Ubertini F (2012) Three-dimensional numerical modelling of falling rock protection barriers. Comput Geotech 44:58–72

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Geotechnical Engineering Office (1998) Landslides and boulder falls from natural terrain: interim risk guidelines. GEO report no. 75. Geotechnical Engineering Office, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region: p 183

  • Gottardi G, Govoni L, Mentani A, Ranalli M, Strada C (2011) The effectiveness of protection systems toward rockfall risk mitigation. In: Vogt NB, Schuppener B. (eds) Proc. 3rd int symp on geotech safety and risk. By edited Straub and Bräu, 157–164, ISBN 978-3-939230-01-4

  • Guzzetti F, Reichenbach P, Ghigi S (2004) Rockfall hazard and risk assessment along a transportation corridor in the Nera Valley, central Italy. Environ Manag 34(2):191–208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hungr O, Evans SG, Hazzard J (1999) Magnitude and frequency of rock falls and rock slides along the main transportation corridors of south-western British Columbia. Can Geotech J 36:224–238

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ISRM (2007) The complete ISRM suggested methods for rock characterization, testing and monitoring: 1974–2006. In: Ulusay R, Hudson JA (eds) Suggested methods prepared by the commission on testing methods. International society for rock mechanics, compilation arranged by the ISRM Turkish National Group, Ankara, Turkey

  • ISTAT, Italian Institute for Statistics (2014) Anno 2013 incidenti stradali in Campania. Statistiche focus. http://www.istat.it. Accessed 18 Jan 2015 (in Italian)

  • Jaboyedoff M, Dudt JP, Labiouse V (2005) An attempt to refine rockfall hazard zoning based on the kinetic energy, frequency and fragmentation degree. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 5:621–632

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaiswal P, van Westen CJ (2013) Use of quantitative landslide hazard and risk information for local disaster risk reduction along a transportation corridor: a case study from Nilgiri district, India. Nat Hazards 65:887–913

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malamud BD, Turcotte DL, Guzzetti F, Reichenbach P (2004) Landslide inventories and their statistical properties. Earth Surf Proc Land 29:687–711

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mazzoccola D, Sciesa E (2001) La metodologia RHAP (Rockfall hazard assessment procedure). Prevenzione dei fenomeni di instabilità delle pareti rocciose, Programme Interreg II C: 84–95 (in Italian)

  • Michoud C, Derron MH, Horton P, Jaboyedoff M, Baillifard FJ, Loye A, Nicolet P, Pedrazzini A, Queyrel A (2012) Rockfall hazard and risk assessments along roads at a regional scale: example in Swiss Alps. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 12:615–629

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mignelli C, Lo Russo S, Peila D (2012) Rockfall risk management assessment: the RO.MA. approach. Nat Hazards 62:1109–1123

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mignelli C, Peila D, Lo Russo S, Ratto SM, Broccolato M (2014) Analysis of rockfall risk on mountainside roads: evaluation of the effect of protection devices. Nat Hazards 73:23–35

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ministerial Decree 5/11/2001, no. 6972: Norme funzionali e geometriche per la costruzione delle strade, Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti, Gazzetta Ufficiale del 04/01/2002 n. 3, p 90 (in Italian)

  • Palmstörm A (1996) The rock mass index (RMI) applied in rock mechanics and rock engineering. J Rock Mech Tunn Technol 11:1–4

    Google Scholar 

  • Peila D, Guardini C (2008) Use of the event tree to assess the risk reduction obtained from rockfall protection devices. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 8:1441–1450

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Picarelli L, Oboni F, Evans SG, Mostyn G, Fell R (2005) Hazard characterization and quantification. In: Hung O, Fell R, Couture R, Eberhardt E (eds) Proc. landslide risk management. Taylor and Francis Group, London, pp 27–61 (ISBN: 04 1538 043X)

    Google Scholar 

  • Progetto IFFI (2010) Inventario dei fenomeni franosi in Italia. http://www.isprambiente.gov.it/it/progetti/suolo-e-territorio-1/iffi-inventario-dei-fenomeni-franosi-in-italia. Accessed 15 Jan 2015 (in Italian)

  • Roberds W (2005) Estimating temporal and spatial variability and vulnerability. In: Hungr O, Fell R, Couture R, Eberhardt E (eds) Proc. landslide risk management. Taylor and Francis Group, London, pp 3–26 (ISBN: 04 1538 043X )

    Google Scholar 

  • Rocscience Inc.: ROCFALL v. 4.0 (2002) Statistical analysis of rockfalls. Software tools for rock and soil, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

  • Romana M (1988) Practice of SMR classification for slope appraisal. Proc 5th int symp on landslides, Balkema, Rotterdam, 1227–1229

  • Romana M (1991) SMR Classification. Proc 7th int congr on rock mech Balkema, Rotterdam, 955–960

  • Wang X, Frattini P, Crosta GB, Zhang L, Agliardi F, Lari S, Yang Z (2014) Uncertainty assessment in quantitative rockfall risk assessment. Landslides 11:711–722

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to D. Peila and two anonymous referees for their valuable comments and suggestions that have improved this paper. The authors would also like to thank the Regional Agency Campania Sud that provided many geo-structural and geo-mechanical data.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Naples ‘‘Federico II’’, Piazzale Tecchio, 80, 80125, Naples, Italy

    P. Budetta, C. De Luca & M. Nappi

Authors
  1. P. Budetta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C. De Luca
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Nappi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to P. Budetta.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Budetta, P., De Luca, C. & Nappi, M. Quantitative rockfall risk assessment for an important road by means of the rockfall risk management (RO.MA.) method. Bull Eng Geol Environ 75, 1377–1397 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-015-0798-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-015-0798-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation