Rockfalls: influence of rock hardness on the trajectory of falling rock blocks.

Abstract

Rockfalls pose significant hazard on human activities and infrastructure. The assessment of rockfall risk along roads and on other human activities is of great importance. Geological assessment can predict the outbreak of such events; explain the mechanism of occurrence and assist in the effective design of protection measures. The trajectory of a falling block is significantly affected by its response to the impact with the slope, since block kinematics properties mainly depend on the coefficient of restitution values. In this research a laboratory procedure based on the free fall of small blocks of different rock types and artificial materials was implemented in order to address the effect of their mechanical properties on the coefficient of restitution values. From the evaluation of testing results a correlation between kinematic coefficient of restitution and Schmidt rock hardness is proposed.