Evaluation of Rockfall Hazard Based On UAV Technology And 3D Rockfall Simulations

Abstract

In this study, the rockfall hazard in Hacıabdullah village located in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey was assessed with three-dimensional (3D) rockfall analyses based on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology. With several rockfall disasters experienced in the village, the final event occurred as severe rockfall in 2008 and several houses were evacuated due to rockfall risk after this event. In order for the rockfall hazard to be assessed close to reality in the study area, rocks with falling potential identified in the field were assessed using high-resolution digital surface model (DSM) data produced from images obtained with UAV. During field studies, 17 rocks with fall hazard were identified and dimensional measurements were performed. According to dimensional values, the geometric and volumetric features of each rock were assessed close to reality with the RAMMS 3D rockfall modelling program. As a result of modelling, the kinetic energies of the rocks were identified to reach up to 3476 kJ, with velocities of up to 23.1 m/s and bounce heights of up to 14.57 m. On steep slopes rocks do not travel very long distances; however, in gentle slopes, they were identified to be able to roll very long distances. Rocks that do not move very far from the source are; in other words, where the fall process is dominant, may create damage on roads mainly. However, those with the feature of rolling, in other words, blocks which can travel long distances from the source area, have the potential to cause great damage to settlement areas, roads and trees. According to the hazard map, modelling of rock blocks numbered R6, R12, R13, R14, R15, R16 and R17 showed settlement units were within the high and moderate risk areas.

An Integration of UAV-Based Photogrammetry and 3D Modelling for Rockfall Hazard Assessment: The Cárcavos Case in 2018 (Spain)

“…The high cost and scale of the LiDAR instrumentation itself also motivated the sci-entific community to show interest in alternative techniques such as SfM to develop surface models. In addition, the SfM technique demonstrated its usefulness by generateing 3DPC to identify, delimit and georeference the families of discontinuities in rock outcrops [85,86], and to allow the performance of high-accuracy rockfall simulations [20,87,88]. The contribution of UAVs to rockfalls can have various applications, including recognition, mapping and monitoring.…”