Risk assessment of rock falls released from the former quarry near spitz (Austria)

Author(s)
Rainer Poisel, Nikolaus Hoedlmoser, Bernhard Grasemann
Abstract

In the former quarry near Spitz an der Donau (Austria), many rockfalls have occurred during operation as well as after closure. They have endangered a railway, the Wachau bicycle route, an important road, and the left Danube riverbank. Thus, future detachment scenarios were investigated and, in addition, weather and occurrence statistics were analyzed to determine the occurrence probabilities of these scenarios. Simulations of possible future rockslides were performed using the Distinct Element Code 3DEC in order to estimate the damage caused by these events. Based on these results, the risks of the scenarios were calculated according to the definition of risk as the product of damage and occurrence probability. By this means, the profitability of mitigation measures (e.g., a massive retaining structure fixed to the ground by bored piles) can be evaluated.

Organisation(s)
Department of Geology
External organisation(s)
Technische Universität Wien
Journal
Geosciences (Switzerland)
Volume
10
Pages
1-13
No. of pages
13
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences10110432
Publication date
11-2020
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
105124 Tectonics
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
General Earth and Planetary Sciences
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/8727eed1-20bd-41b2-8a42-64419cd7a33c