Statistical design of rockfall protective structures using a stochastic trajectory analysis model

Franck Bourrier (1) , François Nicot (1) , F. Darve (2)

1 UR ETGR (ETNA) - Érosion torrentielle, neige et avalanches
2 3SR - Laboratoire sols, solides, structures - risques [Grenoble]

Classically used trajectory analysis models do not really account for the stochastic nature of the trajectory of falling rocks related to the variability of the impact process. The presented work focuses on the bouncing phase modelling in the case of the interaction of a boulder with a coarse granular soil. Impact simulations are first held using a Discrete Element Method. A statistical analysis of the numerical results is performed in order to build a stochastic impact model relating boulder velocities before impact and after impact. The stochastic impact model is impended within a trajectory analysis software and a validation procedure using real-scale experiments is carried out. Finally, the stochastic trajectory analysis model developed allows characterizing probability distributions functions that quantify hazard levels on endangered slopes and allows defining a probabilistic framework for the optimization of protective structures design.

Mots clés: CHUTE DE PIERRES; PROCESSUS STOCHASTIQUE; MODELE STOCHASTIQUE; MODELISATION; REBOND

Domaines: Sciences de l'environnement

Franck Bourrier, François Nicot, F. Darve. Statistical design of rockfall protective structures using a stochastic trajectory analysis model. First International Symposium on Computational Geomechanics, Apr 2009, Juan-les-Pins, France. 10 p. ⟨hal-00473253⟩