A method for full three-dimensional kinematic analysis of steep rock walls based on high-resolution point cloud data

The predisposition of a slope to generate rockfalls is related the intensity rock mass jointing and geometric arrangement discontinuities intersecting face. With increasing use terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) in surveying, methods have been proposed semi-automatically extract spatial properties outcropping from high-resolution topographic data. present paper builds upon one such (named DiAna), extends it enhance assessment rockfall susceptibility over steep walls. In particular, Matlab routine DiAna-K) that incorporates full three-dimensional derivation kinematic analysis principles introduced. Kinematic tests for plane, wedge, block toppling, flexural free fall failure are formulated by explicitly accounting presence overhanging areas face as well varying frictional strengths across different discontinuity sets, planes, or intersections between planes. Results test application at an abandoned quarry site highlight ability procedure provide detailed insights into feasibility structurally controlled instabilities. They also demonstrate importance properly defining mechanisms (and usually undersampled) topographies order derive realistic quantifications hazards.