58. Rockfall containment measures at Springdale, Newfoundland
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Published:1991
R. D. Boyd, BSc, MICE, FGS, 1991. "58. Rockfall containment measures at Springdale, Newfoundland", Slope stability engineering developments and applications: Proceedings of the international conference on slope stability organized by the Institution of Civil Engineers and held on the Isle of Wight on 15–18 April 1991, The Institution of Civil Engineers
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A case history is presented describing the investigation, analysis, design and construction of a rockfall containment scheme at Springdale, Newfoundland. (Figure 1)
The project is intended to protect an existing housing development from rocks falling from an adjacent rock slope.
The rock slope considered is a natural geological feature approximately 47m high and stretching for several hundred metres either side of the area of concern.
Investigation included vertical and oblique stereo aerial photography and detailed geotechnical mapping to determine slope geometry and to identify potentially unstable rock blocks.
Analysis included development of approximate models to estimate trajectories and kinetic energies of falling rocks.
Design included consideration of stabilising solutions to prevent rock falls and of alternative forms for containment structures. The selected option was a containment solution comprising a catch ditch and rock fence.
Because of the space limitations a large gabion retaining structure was required to support the catchditch.
The rock fence was a novel design incorporating mesh and tensioned cables in four approximately 60m long sections. It was designed for a rock impact energy of 100 KNm.
The scheme was built in 1986.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
PRE-DESIGN STUDIES
ANALYSIS
DESIGN
UNSTABLE ROCK MASS
CONSTRUCTION
CONCLUSIONS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
REFERENCES
