Abstract
THEROCKLAB focuses on the study of thermo- and hydro-mechanical processes affecting fractured rock masses, through multisensor monitoring and modeling approaches. A national network of small-scale potentially unstable rock compartments, monitored with a common integrated methodology, is established within the project. The selected rock masses are exploited as site laboratories to assess the predisposition to failure linked to the natural meteorogical and climatic forcing. The five field labs are located along the Alps and the Apennines to maximize the variety of geo-structural settings potentially prone to instability and the possible environmental and climatic conditions. The four research units involved in the project (POLITO, UNIBO, UNIROMA1, UNIMIB) carry different expertise and methodological approaches to the monitoring and modeling of unstable rock masses. Their experience is integrated in THEROCKLAB for the design, instrumentation, long-term continuous monitoring of a new site lab located in the periglacial environment and affected by permafrost degradation. The integrated methodology developed within the project mainly involves continuous passive seismic and geomechanical monitoring, coupled with remote sensing techniques. Data collected at the different site lab are then integrated and interpreted as a function of the external meteorological and climatic conditions, with a special focus on air temperature and precipitation effects on site stability. The selection of a site lab located in an abandoned quarry makes experiments in forced thermal and vibrational conditions feasible within the project. These test allow for exploring the evolution of mechanical properties until the final collapse in comparison with natural forcing conditions, for early warning perspectives. Similar tests, including freezing-thawing cycles, are carried out at the laboratory scale on intact and fractured rock blocks and a continuous monitoring of deformations and seismic parameters during the experiments. The lab scale is used as a proxy to improve the understanding of the correlation between rock mass quality and susceptibility to damage due to thermal and hydrogeological drivers at the field scale. Both lab and field scales make extensive use of numerical modeling for a deeper understanding and quantification of the recorded thermo- and hydro-mechanical processes and to forecast possible field instabilities. THEROCKLAB final aim is to define standard procedures for a multi-scale characterization, monitoring and modeling of hydro- and thermo-mechanical effects on fractured rock masses to promote the spread of diffuse monitoring and prevention of natural hazards.
Results achieved
The project achieved the main scientific and operational targets of the approved proposal, by consolidating and expanding the natural field lab network and producing new lab and field datasets, methods and modelling results. The key outcomes of the project include: - Consolidation of long-term monitoring infrastructures at the natural field laboratories, including major upgrades of the passive seismic acquisition system at AcutoFieldLab to restore continuous, high-quality data streams (UNIROMA1). - Implementation of a new natural field laboratory in the Dolomites (Sas da Lech, Corvara, BZ), equipped with multiparametric sensors (borehole temperature chains, deformation sensors, extensometers, passive seismic monitoring stations) and supported by temporary electrical resistivity tomography campaigns (UNIMIB-POLITO). - Temporary monitoring campaigns, including new tests at Madonna del Sasso field lab, to test new sensors for passive seismic monitoring, involving a low-cost dense network of sensors (POLITO) and a temporary passive seismic monitoring campaign at San Leo (UNIBO-UNIROMA1). - Laboratory experiments on rock samples (intact/fractured with different fracture geometries) from the different natural field laboratories to test the passive seismic response in controlled temperature conditions and/or after treatment with thermal cycles (POLITO). - Numerical modelling activities addressing the different forcing mechanisms acting at the lab and field scales; e.g., hydro-mechanical FDEM modelling for the San Leo plateau, coupled thermal/mechanical/vibrational modelling (including climate-scenario projections) for Sas da Lech, FDEM simulations of the laboratory experiments in forced temperature conditions (all Units). - Extension of the observational framework to an additional active instability close to San Leo natural field laboratory (Tausano slope instability), providing the basis for a long-term digital twin monitoring and modelling strategy (UNIBO). Dissemination through journal articles, conferences, workshops and outreach activities, involvement of young researchers and professionals, and preparation of further manuscripts on the integrated datasets (all Units).Project details
Unibo Team Leader: Alessandro Lambertini
Unibo involved Department/s:
Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Chimica, Ambientale e dei Materiali
Coordinator:
Politecnico di TORINO(Italy)
Total Unibo Contribution: Euro (EUR) 22.800,00
Project Duration in months: 24
Start Date:
28/09/2023
End Date:
28/02/2026
