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Structural and non-structural mitigation of landslide
risk in road connections: the integration of monitoring
and early warning devices in the Scascoli Gorges
(northern Apennines, Italy)
The Scascoli Gorges (25 km south of Bologna, Savena River Valley) display an intrinsic
structural predisposition to slope instability, due to stratigraphic and tectonic
features, resulting in several landslide bodies of different types and sizes. In particular,
both the left and the right cliffs of the Gorges have been affected by huge rock falls
involving weathered and fractured sandstones. The rock fall events recorded in the last
few years are impressive: on October 15th, 2002 a rock volume of about 20.000 cubic
meters detached from the left cliff, damming the Savena riverbed and completely
destroying 150 meters of the Fondovalle Savena provincial road. On March 12, 2005
a rock slope failure of 30.000 cubic meters occurred, developing as a toppling-rock
fall that, again, dammed the river and destroyed the road for a length of about 100 m.
Despite the fact that the road represent an important connection from the upper part of
the valley to the city, in both cases, no accidents and casualties were recorded.
From 2005 onwards a large civil protection plan was set up in order to design protection
and consolidation works, and to manage the risk posed to the road on the elements
at risk, both directly and indirectly (people, road, economic activities etc.). Site characterization,
in situ monitoring, slope stability analyses and alarm system, in the frame
of residual risk assessment and management after the 2005 event, are here discussed.
After the last major rockfall event and the first emergency response (removal of fallen
blocks), two main sources of risk threatened the road in the Scascoli Gorges. One was
the risk that single rock blocks resting on unfavourably orientated joints (volume in
the order of dm3 to 100m3) would detach from the cliff and impact the road. The other
was the risk associated with an overall failure of the rock cliff such occurred in 2002
and 2005 (volume in the order of 105m3). In order to reduce the hazard and to drop the
risk below an acceptable level, both structural and non-structural mitigation measures
were combined.
The first mitigation measure consisted of slope flattening and benching aimed to reduce
the driving force in the cliff affected by the 2005 rockfall. Slope was excavated
by blasting and heavy ripping to an average slope of approximately 50°. Slope profiling
had the double positive effect of increasing the global safety factor of the rock
slope and grading the slope away from the road, thus reducing the hazard related to
single rockfalls. Furthermore, a rockfall barrier with an energy absorption capacity of
1000 kJ was installed at mid-slope where the cliff was still too close to the road (10-15
m). Structural measures also included the construction of a earth wall at the toe of the
cliff, the protection of river banks against undermining, and the rebuilding of the road
subgrade using large rock blocks fastened with concrete and stainless steel nets.
Non-structural mitigation measures consisted of an automated monitoring system and
of a cable alarm system. The monitoring system is composed by three electrical crackmeters
installed across major discontinuity planes and one thermometer. The data are
collected every four hours, stored in the field and retrieved weekly via GSM. The alarm
system was installed along the road guard rail and it consists of a cables pair coupled
with a current detector. Whether an interruption of the current flow is detected, the
system turn on two red traffic signal signs placed at the entrance of the Gorges and
send an SMS alarm to nominated mobile phone numbers.
The efficiency of the mitigation measures were evaluated in terms of risk reduction.
The level of risk from rockfall was quantified by considering the following hazards:
i) impact of a rock on a moving vehicle, ii) impact of a rock on a stationary vehicle;
iii) impact of a vehicle on a stationary rock that is obstructing or blocking the road.
The overall risk level was computed as sum of the probabilities of single accidents
multiplied by the probability of death. By comparing the overall risk before and after
the works, we demonstrated that the adopted mitigation measures have successfully
decreased the level of risk and that the level of residual risk is well below the values
commonly selected for acceptable risk.
What else can I help you with?
What are non-structural mitigation measures for tsunami?
Non-structural mitigation measures for tsunamis include early warning systems, community education and preparedness programs, land use planning and zoning regulations to restrict development in high-risk areas, vegetation buffers such as mangroves to reduce wave energy, and building codes that require structures to be designed to resist tsunami forces.
What are non-structural mitigation measures for cyclones?
Non-structural mitigation measures are:- a.) Hazard mapping:- a hazard map will illustrate the areas vulnerable to the cyclone in any given year. it is a effective mitigation tool. b.)Land use control designed so that least critical activities are placed in vulnerable areas.Location of settlements in the flood plains is of utmost risk.Vulnerable areas should be kept for parks,grazing or play grounds. c.)Cyclone fore casting and warning :- better forecasting for cyclones ,early and timely warning to the people who are likely to be affected leads to better preparedness and reduced impact to life,property, livelihood and livelihood and infrastructure.
What are non metric measures?
Feet, pounds, gallons.
What is a non structural crack?
A non-structural crack is a crack in a building or structure that does not affect the integrity or strength of the building. These cracks are typically superficial and do not indicate any significant structural issues. They are often caused by factors such as shrinkage, temperature changes, or settling.
Common hazards - prevention and mitigation?
Common hazards such as fires, slips, trips, and falls can be prevented by implementing safety protocols, providing training to employees, and maintaining a clean and organized work environment. Mitigation measures include installing fire alarms and extinguishers, using non-slip mats, and fixing any damaged flooring or hazardous conditions promptly. Regular inspections and risk assessments can also help identify potential hazards and address them before they cause harm.
What are the structural and non structural mitigation for earthquake?
Structural mitigation measures for earthquakes include building reinforcements such as base isolators and bracing, while non-structural measures include securing heavy furniture, installing automatic gas shut-off valves, and creating emergency plans. Both types of mitigation aim to reduce damage and ensure safety during seismic events.
Structural and non structural mitigation of drought?
The structural and non structural mitigation of drought is the displacement of people. Death of livestock and plants is another structural and non-structural mitigation of drought.
What is non structural mitigation?
displacement of people
What are mitigation strategies for flood?
there are two types; structural and non structural
What are non-structural mitigation measures for tsunami?
Non-structural mitigation measures for tsunamis include early warning systems, community education and preparedness programs, land use planning and zoning regulations to restrict development in high-risk areas, vegetation buffers such as mangroves to reduce wave energy, and building codes that require structures to be designed to resist tsunami forces.
What do you understand by mitigation why is it important give three examples of non- structural mitigation?
mitigation efforts help the people by creating safer communites and reducing loss of life and property is called mitigation
What are the structural and non structural mitigation strategies of a tsunami?
Structural Mitigation:- • Increase the river dike heights • Evacuation routes identification • Retrofitting of vulnerable structures for tsunami resistance • Engineered structures • Tsunami water breaks • Sea walls & coral reefs Non structural Mitigation:- • Public Awareness • Hazard mapping & vulnerability analysis • Risk identification, zoning & mapping • Training of all concerned • Land Use Management • Tsunami warning system
What are non-structural mitigation measures for cyclones?
Non-structural mitigation measures are:- a.) Hazard mapping:- a hazard map will illustrate the areas vulnerable to the cyclone in any given year. it is a effective mitigation tool. b.)Land use control designed so that least critical activities are placed in vulnerable areas.Location of settlements in the flood plains is of utmost risk.Vulnerable areas should be kept for parks,grazing or play grounds. c.)Cyclone fore casting and warning :- better forecasting for cyclones ,early and timely warning to the people who are likely to be affected leads to better preparedness and reduced impact to life,property, livelihood and livelihood and infrastructure.
What are mitigation measures for cyclones?
Non-structural mitigation measures are:- a.) Hazard mapping:- a hazard map will illustrate the areas vulnerable to the cyclone in any given year. it is a effective mitigation tool. b.)Land use control designed so that least critical activities are placed in vulnerable areas.Location of settlements in the flood plains is of utmost risk.Vulnerable areas should be kept for parks,grazing or play grounds. c.)Cyclone fore casting and warning :- better forecasting for cyclones ,early and timely warning to the people who are likely to be affected leads to better preparedness and reduced impact to life,property, livelihood and livelihood and infrastructure.
What are the mitigation strategies for floods?
Mitigation strategies for floods include the construction of flood control structures such as levees and dams, implementing land-use planning to avoid building in flood-prone areas, improving stormwater management systems, and promoting early warning systems and emergency preparedness. Additionally, restoring natural floodplains and wetlands can help absorb excess water and reduce flood risk.
What are mitigation strategies for cyclones?
The National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Process was launched in India. The main objectives of the project are to minimize risk and vulnerabilities to cyclones, to strengthen the structural and non-structural cyclone mitigation efforts and to build capabilities and capacities of people for cyclone risk mitigation in harmony with the conservation of coastal ecosystems in coastal cyclone hazard prone States and Union Territories.Mitigation means "measures taken in advance that are aimed to decrease or eliminate the impact of disasters on the community and environment". Today, the Policy makers and Disaster Management specialists are rethinking their approach to disaster management by increasing investment in risk reduction & mitigation measures rather than concentrating on post disaster response (relief & reconstruction).The Mitigation Strategies could be✓ Proper infrastructure development for providing accurate and prompt cyclone warning.✓ Design and construction of robust buildings, roads, bridges and other infrastructure besides"Cyclone proof" buildings, which have storage and sleeping areas high off the ground anduse water-resistant materials.✓ Hazard reduction by trying to control the hazard in advance, such as, seawalls, diversiondrains, coastal shelterbelts, protection and promotion of natural sea side vegetation (mangrove)etc.✓ Land use planning, which "builds in" a distance between the hazard and the community.✓ Management of Delta Zones.✓ Contingency Plans at all levels (community, government and civil society), which includedisaster mitigation strategies.✓ Awareness and Educational campaigns that provide advice to the community on cyclonepreparedness as well as mitigations measures✓ Develop healthy partnerships between stakeholders at all levels -especially government,private sector and the community to achieve sustainable mitigation strategies.
What effect can earthquakes have on buildings?
Earthquakes can cause damage to buildings by shaking the ground, leading to structural failure, collapsing walls, and breaking windows. Ground shaking can also cause non-structural damage such as cracks in walls, ceilings, and foundations. Additionally, earthquakes can trigger landslides or liquefaction, further compromising building stability.
