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Stability of an undercut sea-cliff along a Cilento coastal stretch (Campania, Southern Italy)

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Abstract

This paper deals with a finite element stability analysis performed on a sea-cliff affected by a deep notch. The cliff is about 200 m long with height ranging between 8 and 19 m. The notch at the cliff base is about 1 m above sea level, nearly stretching along the entire cliff toe. Detailed geo-structural and geo-mechanical surveys were performed in situ, and rock samples were tested in laboratory. The relevant physical and mechanical properties were used for determining rock mass strength parameters. A finite element approach was implemented using a two-dimensional elasto-plastic finite-element stress analysis program. The stability analysis shows that the notch causes increasing shear strains spreading from the notch end towards the top cliff. Decreasing strength reduction factors affect the cliff as the notch reaches increased depth into the rock mass, and when its depth is about 2 m the analysis results do not converge. At this stage, an uninterrupted shear plane develops along which a roughly prismatic rock block can slide and then topple.

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Acknowledgments

The author is grateful to Regional Agency “Autorità di Bacino Sinistra Sele” that provided topographical and photogrammetric surveys, and climatic data. The author is also grateful to Dr. Claudio De Luca and two anonymous referees for text review, valuable comments and suggestions that improved this paper. This work was carried out with financial contributions from the University of Naples “Federico II”, under Prof. P. Budetta.

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  1. Section of Applied Geology, Department of Hydraulics, Geotechnical and Environmental Engineering, University of Naples “Federico II”, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125, Naples, Italy

    Paolo Budetta

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  1. Paolo Budetta
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Correspondence to Paolo Budetta.

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Budetta, P. Stability of an undercut sea-cliff along a Cilento coastal stretch (Campania, Southern Italy). Nat Hazards 56, 233–250 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-010-9565-y

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