Hammer Time: Using the Schmidt Hammer to Improve the Rockfall Activity Index (RAI) Forecasting Accuracy

Dr. Darrow is part of a research team that received PacTrans support in 2020 to modify the rockfall activity index (RAI – an approach that members of the research team developed) to account for rockfall attenuation after earthquakes. The RAI can be used as a tool by engineers to understand the relative risk between rock slopes and which slopes are best suited for mitigation. In 2021, our research team received notification that we received additional PacTrans support to improve and refine both the accuracy and the interpretation of the RAI analysis to promote its wider adoption by transportation authorities and consulting engineers in the PNW and across the nation (project title – “A RAI of Data: Generalizing the Data-driven Rockfall Activity Index (RAI) based on Long-term Observations of Well Characterized Slopes”. This proposed small project will complement the funded “A RAI of Data” project by measuring the accuracy and repeatability of Schmidt hammer data to determine rock strength and weathering conditions, using sites in Alaska and Oregon as a case study. The project will represent a key component of a graduate student’s thesis, who will be responsible for performing the work. The results will be incorporated into the RAI procedure to conduct “hotspot” mapping, thus improving the accuracy of the RAI methodology.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $120000
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3551747110

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium

  University of Washington
  More Hall Room 112
  Seattle, WA  United States  98195-2700

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  University of Alaska, Fairbanks

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  P.O. Box 755900
  Fairbanks, AK  United States  99775-5900
• Project Managers:

  Darrow, Margaret

• Performing Organizations:

  University of Alaska, Fairbanks

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  P.O. Box 755900
  Fairbanks, AK  United States  99775-5900
• Principal Investigators:

  Darrow, Margaret

• Start Date: 20220316
• Expected Completion Date: 20230630
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Earthquakes; Forecasting; Methodology; Rockfalls; Slopes
• Geographic Terms: Alaska; Oregon
• Subject Areas: Environment; Geotechnology; Planning and Forecasting; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01872753
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium
• Contract Numbers: 69A3551747110
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Feb 7 2023 7:48PM