Digital Surface Model-aided Quantitative Geologic Rockfall Rating System (QG-RRS)

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 255-271
Author(s):  
Yonathan Admassu
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Estimation ◽  
Rating System ◽  
Surface Model ◽  
Rating Systems ◽  
Rockfall Hazard ◽  
Mountainous Regions ◽  
Discontinuity Orientation ◽  
Geological Factors ◽  
Hazard Rating ◽  
Cut Slopes

ABSTRACT Rockfalls are one of the most common types of slope failures that affect cut slopes along roadways in mountainous regions. The Rockfall Hazard Rating System (RHRS), started in Oregon and adopted by various U.S. states, is used to rate cut slopes with respect to their likelihood of releasing rockfalls. Existing rating systems use semi-quantitative approaches to rate geological and non-geological factors. The main geologic factors are favorability/unfavorability of orientation of discontinuities with respect to the orientation of slope faces and likelihood of differential weathering leading to undercutting of strong rock units. Digital surface models (DSMs) derived from light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and photogrammetry have been used to remotely characterize rock mass. This research introduces an expanded application of DSMs to quantify geologic factors that contribute to the likelihood of rockfall events. The method is hence referred to as the Quantitative Geologic Rockfall Rating System (QG-RRS). Four DSM-based parameters, A, B, C, and D, have been identified to evaluate geologic factors. These parameters quantify the likelihood of discontinuity orientation-controlled failures (parameter A), the degree of undercutting (parameter B), rockfall activity based on rockfall release surfaces (parameter C), and rockfall volume from rockfall voids (parameter D). This rating system, although not inclusive of other non-geological factors, appears to provide reproducible quantitative estimation of geologic factors that control rockfall generation.

scholarly journals Rockfall Hazard Rating System(s) in Saudi Arabia – A Review

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adnan M. Aqeel
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Specific Area ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Slope Instability ◽  
Rating System ◽  
Rating Systems ◽  
Rockfall Hazard ◽  
Risk Definition ◽  
Hazard Rating ◽  
Hazard Rating Systems

Slope instability along highways in mountainous areas is not only a major hazard for lives and passing vehicles but also may hinder traffic for long period and thus create significant economic loss. The most common type of slope instability failures in such areas is rockfalls. Many qualitative rockfall hazard rating systems (RHRSs) have been developed across the world. However, the Middle East almost lacks to such systems. For instance, in Saudi Arabia, which has the largest economy in the region, only one system of rockfall hazard rating system (RHRS-SA) has been developed up to now. This paper aimed to critically review this system. Some drawbacks were found in the RHRS-SA. However, the main disadvantage was that the final rating score of risk is not consistent with risk definition. In sum, the remarkable findings of this review can be accounted either for any future modifications for the RHRS-SA or to develop a new rockfall hazard rating system but for a specific area(s) in Saudi Arabia.

scholarly journals Comparison between qualitative rockfall risk rating systems for a road affected by high traffic intensity

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1643-1653 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Budetta ◽  
M. Nappi
Keyword(s):  
Rating System ◽  
Traffic Intensity ◽  
Rock Slopes ◽  
Rating Systems ◽  
Rockfall Hazard ◽  
The Road ◽  
Risk Rating ◽  
System A ◽  
Sight Distance ◽  
Hazard Rating

Abstract. The paper deals with the assessment of the rockfall risk for a road stretch, in southern Italy, affected by high traffic intensity. Three qualitative rockfall risk rating systems (QRSs) which use an exponential scoring with a base of 3 were employed, and then the results were compared. The used methods are the following: the Rockfall Hazard Rating System, a modified version of this method already proposed in the past by one of the authors, and the modified version of the Colorado Rockfall Hazard Rating System. The studied road stretch is about 11 km in length and is part of a very tortuous road flanked by rock slopes characterised by complex geostructural and geomechanical layouts. The road was subdivided into 56 sections, defined so as to have – as much as possible – homogeneous geological characteristics. By means of the three QRSs, it was possible to ascertain that high levels of rockfall risks are due to the lack of ditches, a very limited percentage of decision sight distance (PDSD) values and a small roadway width, whereas a subordinate factor is the hazard caused by rockfalls. Several positive and negative aspects arising from the use of the employed methods are highlighted and discussed.

DEVELOPING AND SELECTING SLOPE STABILIZATION TECHNIQUES IN MANAGING SLOPE FAILURES

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ari Sandyavitri
Keyword(s):  
Retaining Wall ◽  
Value Engineering ◽  
Rating Systems ◽  
Slope Stabilization ◽  
Rockfall Hazard ◽  
Proactive Approach ◽  
West Sumatra ◽  
Hazard Rating ◽  
Hazard Rating Systems ◽  
Steep Slopes

This paper objectives are to; (i) identification of risky slopes (within 4 Provinces in Sumatra including Provinces of Riau, West Sumatra, Jambi and South Sumatra encompassing 840 kms of the “Jalan Lintas Sumatra” highway) based on Rockfall Hazard Rating Systems (RHRS) method; (ii) developing alternatives to stabilize slope hazards, and (iii) selecting appropriate slopes stabilization techniques based on both proactive approach and value engineering one. Based on the Rockfall Hazard Rating Systems (RHRS) method, it was identified 109 steep slopes prone to failure within this highway section. Approximately, 15 slopes were identified as potential high-risk slopes (RHRS scores were calculated >200 points). Based on the proactive approach, seven riskiest slopes ware identified. The preferred stabilization alternatives to remedy most of these slopes are suggested as follow; either (i) a combination of retaining wall and drainage, or (ii) gabion structure and drainage. However, different approaches may yield different results, there are at least 2 main consideration in prioritizing slope stabilization; (i) based on the riskiest slopes, and(ii) the least expensive stabilization alternatives.

Modification and statistical analysis of the Colorado Rockfall Hazard Rating System

2009 ◽  
Vol 104 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 55-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul M. Santi ◽  
Christopher P. Russell ◽  
Jerry D. Higgins ◽  
Jessica I. Spriet
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Rating System ◽  
Rockfall Hazard ◽  
Hazard Rating

Rockfall Hazard Rating System: Benefits of Utilizing Remote Sensing

2016 ◽  
pp. 1078-7275.EEG-1812 ◽  
Author(s):  
El Hachemi Yousef Bouali ◽  
Thomas Oommen ◽  
Stanley Vitton ◽  
Rudiger Escobar-Wolf ◽  
Colin Brooks
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Rating System ◽  
Rockfall Hazard ◽  
Hazard Rating

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Catchment Ditches along Ohio Roadways

2005 ◽  
Vol 1913 (1) ◽  
pp. 197-204
Author(s):  
Jesse W. Davis ◽  
Abdul Shakoor
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Catchment Area ◽  
Rock Slope ◽  
New York State ◽  
Rating System ◽  
York State ◽  
Rockfall Hazard ◽  
Design Guide ◽  
Rockfall Simulation ◽  
Hazard Rating

The effectiveness of catchment ditches along Ohio roadways was evaluated for 100 sites with the Oregon Rockfall Hazard Rating System (RHRS), the New York State Rock Slope Rating Procedure (RSRP), the Colorado Rockfall Simulation Program (CRSP), and the Oregon Rockfall Catchment Area Design Guide. From the results of this evaluation, 48% of the ditches were ranked as adequate within an acceptable level of risk, 28% were ranked as marginally adequate, and 24% were ranked as inadequate. Although qualitative in nature, the ditch evaluation portion of the Oregon RHRS was found useful. None of the ditches evaluated met the Ritchie ditch depth criteria as used in RSRP. CRSP provided valuable information when the entire road cut was accessible for data collection. Because of slope height restrictions, the Oregon Rockfall Catchment Area Design Guide provided ditch evaluations for only 44% of the sites.

Rockfall Hazard Rating System: Benefits of Utilizing Remote Sensing

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 165-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
El Hachemi Bouali ◽  
Thomas Oommen ◽  
Stanley Vitton ◽  
Rüdiger Escobar-Wolf ◽  
Colin Brooks
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Rating System ◽  
Rockfall Hazard ◽  
Hazard Rating
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