In this work, a thermo-mechanical (TM) numerical approach is presented and applied to investigate the stress-strain evolution of an alpine rock-slope located in the Central Italian Alps (Sondrio Province). Along the “Cimaganda” slope a massive rockslide event occurred around 900 A.D. mobilizing an estimated volume of 7.5 Mm3 of material, and reaching the bottom of the valley. Interest in this historic event was raised again in recent times, as a new rockslide took place in 2012, mobilizing 20.000 m3 of rock material and blocking the SS36 National Road. To understand the general evolution of the Cimaganda rock slope, the recent geomorphological history of the Valley (post Last Glacial Maximum) was considered. In particular, to explore how glacial loading and unloading, associated with thermo-mechanical processes can promote rock mass damage, a 2D DEM numerical approach was adopted, calibrated upon the collected experimental and field data, and supported by a 2D FEM analysis to simulate transient heat diffusion over the Valley cross-section due to ice retreat and paleo-temperature evolution. Results show a clear relation between TM stresses and the occurrence of rock-mass damage and slip propagation along discontinuities. Simulated displacement and the development of a deep region of shear strain localization, allow to highlight the significance of temperature influence in preparing the rock slope to instability.

A thermo-mechanical numerical approach for the analysis of a historical rockslide in the Italian Alps / A. Morcioni, T. Apuani, F. Cecinato. ((Intervento presentato al convegno Eurock 2021 - Mechanics and Rock Engineering, from Theory to Practice tenutosi a Torino nel 2021.

A thermo-mechanical numerical approach for the analysis of a historical rockslide in the Italian Alps

A. Morcioni
Primo
;
T. Apuani
Secondo
;
F. Cecinato
2021

Abstract

In this work, a thermo-mechanical (TM) numerical approach is presented and applied to investigate the stress-strain evolution of an alpine rock-slope located in the Central Italian Alps (Sondrio Province). Along the “Cimaganda” slope a massive rockslide event occurred around 900 A.D. mobilizing an estimated volume of 7.5 Mm3 of material, and reaching the bottom of the valley. Interest in this historic event was raised again in recent times, as a new rockslide took place in 2012, mobilizing 20.000 m3 of rock material and blocking the SS36 National Road. To understand the general evolution of the Cimaganda rock slope, the recent geomorphological history of the Valley (post Last Glacial Maximum) was considered. In particular, to explore how glacial loading and unloading, associated with thermo-mechanical processes can promote rock mass damage, a 2D DEM numerical approach was adopted, calibrated upon the collected experimental and field data, and supported by a 2D FEM analysis to simulate transient heat diffusion over the Valley cross-section due to ice retreat and paleo-temperature evolution. Results show a clear relation between TM stresses and the occurrence of rock-mass damage and slip propagation along discontinuities. Simulated displacement and the development of a deep region of shear strain localization, allow to highlight the significance of temperature influence in preparing the rock slope to instability.
20-set-2021
Settore GEO/05 - Geologia Applicata
Settore GEO/04 - Geografia Fisica e Geomorfologia
International Society of Rock Mechanics (ISRM)
Italian Geotechnical Society (Associazione Geotecnica Italiana -AGI)
A thermo-mechanical numerical approach for the analysis of a historical rockslide in the Italian Alps / A. Morcioni, T. Apuani, F. Cecinato. ((Intervento presentato al convegno Eurock 2021 - Mechanics and Rock Engineering, from Theory to Practice tenutosi a Torino nel 2021.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/878130
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