Stability Analysis of the Volcanic Cave El Mirador (Galápagos Islands, Ecuador) Combining Numerical, Empirical and Remote Techniques

Rodríguez, Guido; Mulas, Maurizio; Loaiza, Silvia; Echeverria, Michelle Del Pilar Villalta; Vinueza, Angel Amable Yanez; Larreta, Erwin; Bordehore, Luis Jordá

doi:10.3390/rs15030732

Cited by 7 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…The results obtained for the geomechanical classification using the two classical methodologies validate the Q-Barton index as a conservative classification methodology that can be considered in a rock quality monitoring plan that includes support measures in areas susceptible to landslides [99][100][101]. Through the Q-Barton index, 13 of 14 evaluated stations present a poor rock classification with minimum values of one (Table 2).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

Application of Geomechanical Classification Systems in a Tourist Mine for Establishing Strategies within 3G’s Model

Aguilar

Jaya-Montalvo

Loor-Oporto³

et al. 2023

Heritage

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Stability problems in rock masses are one of the main causes of subsidence events in underground mining areas. Zaruma, in the South of Ecuador, is characterised by mineral wealth, in which 65% of the population depends directly on artisanal mining activity. However, mineral extraction, without technical considerations and in many cases illegal, has negatively impacted the stability of tunnels generated under the city’s urban area, reporting subsidence events in recent years. The aim of this study is to geomechanically characterise the main gallery of the tourist mine “El Sexmo” using two classic methods of geomechanical classification for the configuration of a model that complies with the 3G’s (geotourism, geoconservation, and geoeducation) and supports the culture of sustainability in all areas of the sector. The methodology consists of (i) a field study design, (ii) a geological–geomechanical survey of the rock mass of a tourist mine using rock mass rating (RMR) and the Q-Barton index, and (iii) establishing a 3G’s model for sustainable development. The results reveal that 100% of the rock mass of the tourist mine presents a rock quality classified as “Fair” (class III) by the RMR method, while, via the Q-Barton method, 92.9% of the rock mass obtains a “Poor” rating, except for station S05, rated “Very Poor”. Furthermore, the study proposes additional support measures for three specific stations based on Q-Barton assessments, including fibre-reinforced sprayed concrete and bolting and reinforced ribs of sprayed concrete, considering that the mine is more than 500 years old and maintains geological features for geoeducation in geotechnical mining. Technical and social problems demand an innovative strategy, which, in this work, focuses on the 3G’s model based on the quintuple innovation helix to develop sustainable underground geotourism.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

Application of Geomechanical Classification Systems in a Tourist Mine for Establishing Strategies within 3G’s Model

Aguilar

Jaya-Montalvo

Loor-Oporto³

et al. 2023

Heritage

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“…A fundamental aspect addressed through numerical modeling is the assessment of solutions to prevent potential cave-ins or damage to the rock formations inside the cave. Similar research in underground environments [22,81] has proved that the utilization of 2D numerical modeling is a highly effective tool for assessing structural stability and proposing adequate conservation strategies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…Examples of studies that include rock instability analyses are represented by the Sant'Angelo in Criptis cave, in Italy [21], the El Mirador volcanic cave, in Ecuador [22], the Coccio cave, in Italy [23], the Badajo cave, in Spain [24], and the Saint Michael cave, in Italy [25]. In these case studies, 3D cave models were obtained using either LiDAR [21], digital photogrammetry [22,24], or both methodologies [23,25].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Applying SLAM-Based LiDAR and UAS Technologies to Evaluate the Rock Slope Stability of the Grotta Paglicci Paleolithic Site (Italy)

Beltramone,

De Lucia,

Ermini

et al. 2024

GeoHazards

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This study focuses on slope stability and geological hazard analyses at the Italian Paleolithic site of Grotta Paglicci. The site is characterized by a cave that contains rich archaeological and anthropological finds, spanning various Paleolithic periods, and includes faunal remains, lithic artifacts, human burials, ornaments, mobiliary art objects, and unique Paleolithic wall paintings. The study employs a multi-technique approach that includes topographic surveys carried out by the robotic total station and GNSS receivers, photogrammetric acquisitions with an unmanned aerial system, 3D SLAM-based LiDAR mapping, and an engineering geological survey. The collected data allowed for the creation of georeferenced 3D models that were utilized in rock slope stability analysis and modeling. The results of this comprehensive survey highlighted how the bedding and joint discontinuities influence rock stability in both the external and internal areas of the cave. The integrated use of SLAM-based LiDAR and photogrammetry has been proven to be an efficient and essential tool in the evaluation of the structural interactions between the external morphology and the cave, thus allowing the proposal of safety measures that will keep the site accessible for future activities.

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“…In addition to rock mass classification systems, a proper analysis of discontinuities is an important key to assess the stability of caves [6,8]. These discontinuities (joints, faults, strata or veins) are represented by dip angle and dip direction.…”

Section: Extraction Of Discontinuitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preliminary Assessment of Badajo Cave (Segovia, Spain) Stability Using Empirical, Numerical and Remote Techniques

Benrabah,

Domínguez,

Bordehore

et al. 2024

IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci.

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Badajo cave is a shallow cavity (hemispherical rock shelter) located in the valley of Clamores River (Segovia city, Central Spain). This small canyon carved in Cretaceous dolostones has numerous geosites, as well as a rich archaeological and historical heritage. There are dozens of rock outcrops in the valley’s cliffs and slopes, on both banks, where various types of sedimentary rocks can be easily recognized and differentiated, especially carbonates (dolostones and limestones), and mixed carbonate-detrital (dolomitic sandstones, calcareous silts, marls). The cave was formed by karstic and gravitational processes within a mixed dolomitic sandstones and limestones, and it has an important archaeological interest. This study proposes a preliminary stability analyses of the cave applying: (i) empirical approaches based on geomechanical classifications using Barton’s Q Index, Rock Mass Rating (RMR) and the recently created Cave Geomechanical Index (CGI); (ii) three-dimensional model generated with the remote photogrammetric technique Structure from Motion (SfM) to allow acquisition of data to complete values collected in the geomechanical station, and to create the numerical model of the critical sections of the cave; and (iii) numerical simulations using a 2D model based on the generalized Hoek and Brown failure criterion and a 3D wedge analysis. The results of the analysis show that the cave is stable, although it presents some places with small problems (falls of slabs and blocks) that deserve monitoring. Furthermore, the evaluation by the geomechanical classification Q and the corresponding abacus of cave stability indicates that it is located in the “transition” zone where attention is required. In addition, SfM photogrammetric technique makes possible to generate a geometric 3D model that allowed the acquisition of data that were difficult to take in situ. The geotechnical parameters obtained from the different methods complement each other, resulting in a more realistic engineering representation of the subsurface environment. As a conclusion, a graph showing the two empirical methodologies (Barton’s Q Index and CGI), and some recommendation for a future analysis are given.

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Stability Analysis of the Volcanic Cave El Mirador (Galápagos Islands, Ecuador) Combining Numerical, Empirical and Remote Techniques

Cited by 7 publications

References 21 publications

Application of Geomechanical Classification Systems in a Tourist Mine for Establishing Strategies within 3G’s Model

Application of Geomechanical Classification Systems in a Tourist Mine for Establishing Strategies within 3G’s Model

Applying SLAM-Based LiDAR and UAS Technologies to Evaluate the Rock Slope Stability of the Grotta Paglicci Paleolithic Site (Italy)

Preliminary Assessment of Badajo Cave (Segovia, Spain) Stability Using Empirical, Numerical and Remote Techniques

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