Developing and Calibrating Fragmental Rockfall Models using Physics Engines

The objectives of the research work are to: (1) Develop a field data collection methodology to observe rockfall events, generated by scaling projects. Develop a detailed database of rockfall events, collected and analyzed from DOT rock slope scaling projects, and utilize this database to define ranges of input parameters needed to simulate rockfalls. (2) Build a user interface with the selected physics engine to permit model self-calibration based on observations, and generate numerous simulations providing probabilistic output data. Define and produce useable metrics such as runout distance for a defined % of the volume, bounce height and energy etc. (3) Determine the basis for decisions related to goodness of fit of simulations, and simulate many known rockfall events to define appropriate ranges of input parameters to generate realistic fragmental rockfall models for different geological settings and slope condition states. (4) Simulate the interaction between falling fragments and the underlying slope, considering geology, geometry and whether the blocks will be impacting outcropping rock, talus, soil, and possibly vegetation, to refine the fragmentation model.

• Record URL:
  http://www.pooledfund.org/Details/Study/686

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Programmed
• Funding: $830000
• Contract Numbers:

  TPF-5(459)

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities

  Research Development & Technology Transfer
  3132 Channel Dr
  Juneau, AK  United States 

  Arizona Department of Transportation

  206 South 17th Avenue
  Phoenix, AZ  United States  85007

  Colorado Department of Transportation

  2829 W. Howard Place
  Denver, CO  United States  80204

  California Department of Transportation

  1227 O Street
  Sacramento, CA  United States  95814

  Texas Department of Transportation

  125 E. 11th Street
  Austin, TX  United States  78701-2483

  Washington State Department of Transportation

  Transportation Building
  Olympia, WA  United States  98504

  Tennessee Department of Transportation

  James K. Polk Building
  Fifth and Deaderick Street
  Nashville, TN  United States  37243-0349

  New York State Department of Transportation

  50 Wolf Road
  Albany, NY  United States  12232
• Managing Organizations:

  Washington State Department of Transportation

  Transportation Building
  Olympia, WA  United States  98504
• Project Managers:

  Peterson, Jon

• Start Date: 20230413
• Expected Completion Date: 20250831
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Calibration; Data collection; Mathematical models; Methodology; Physics; Rock slopes; Rockfalls; Rocks; Simulation; Software
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Geotechnology; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01747747
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Contract Numbers: TPF-5(459)
• Files: RIP, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Aug 12 2020 2:03PM