Giorgio Lollino

Engineering Geology for Society and Territory - Volume 1

Dissociation of natural gas hydrate (NGH) in seabed can product amounts of gas. If the soil layer over NGH layer is permeable, gas will escape. Gas escape can on one hand lead to the damage of seabed, on the other hand lead to the decrease of the density of sea water and so threatens the structures nearby. In this paper movement and expansion behavior of gas in water was first studied, then the damage of seabed due to gas escape was studied. Effects of gas pressure, thickness of soil layer were investigated. The expansion angle of gas in the water was obtained. The characteristics of the hole size induced by gas escape with gas pressure and soil thickness were also obtained. These results can be as references of deeper research and practice.

ADVICE: A New Approach for Near-Real-Time Monitoring of Surface Displacements in Landslide Hazard Scenarios

We present a new method for near-real-time monitoring of surface displacements due to landslide phenomena, namely ADVanced dIsplaCement monitoring system for Early warning (ADVICE). The procedure includes: (i) data acquisition and transfer protocols; (ii) data collection, filtering, and validation; (iii) data analysis and restitution through a set of dedicated software; (iv) recognition of displacement/velocity threshold, early warning messages via SMS and/or emails; (v) automatic publication of the results on a dedicated webpage. We show how the system evolved and the results obtained by applying ADVICE over three years into a real early warning scenario relevant to a large earthflow located in southern Italy. ADVICE has speed-up and facilitated the understanding of the landslide phenomenon, the communication of the monitoring results to the partners, and consequently the decision-making process in a critical scenario. Our work might have potential applications not only for landslide monitoring but also in other contexts, as monitoring of other geohazards and of complex infrastructures, as open-pit mines, buildings, dams, etc.

Landslide hazard, monitoring and conservation strategy for the safeguard of Vardzia Byzantine monastery complex, Georgia

This paper reports preliminary results of a feasibility project developed in cooperation with National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia, and aimed at envisaging the stability conditions of the Vardzia monastery slope (rupestrian city cave in the south-western Georgia). The aim is the implementation of a low-impact monitoring system together with long-term mitigation/conservation policies. A field analysis was conducted to reconstruct geometry of the rocky cliff, characteristics of discontinuities, main failure modes, and volume of potential unstable blocks and geomechanical parameters. Instability processes are the combination of causative factors such as the following: lithology, frequency and orientation of discontinuities, slope orientation, physical and mechanical characteristics of slope-forming materials, and morphological and hydrological boundary conditions. The combined adoption of different survey techniques (e.g., 3D laser scanner, ground-based radar interferometry) could be the best solution in the interdisciplinary field of cultural heritage preservation policies. The collected data will be the basis for future activities to be completed in collaboration with local authorities for a complete hazard and risk characterization for the monastery site and the development of an early warning system to allow safe exploitation for touristic activities and for historical site preservation.

Landslide 3D Surface Deformation Model Obtained Via RTS Measurements

We present a new procedure that allows retrieving in near-real-time 3D surface deformation models starting from data acquired via Robotized Total Stations (RTS). The RTS measurements are first pre-processed and then implemented on 3D maps that include vector arrows representative of the intensities and of the real directions of motion in a given system of coordinates. The 3D surface deformation models are finally overlain on a DTM and/or on an updated picture of the monitored area. We discuss an example of application to an active large-scale landslide located in the area of Montaguto (southern Italy, ca. 100 km northeast from Naples). In this complex landslide scenario, the use of 3D representations of the surface deformation simplified the understanding of the evolution of the landslide phenomenon and received positive feedbacks from operators of the Italian Civil Protection Department.

Rockslide Monitoring Through Multi-temporal LiDAR DEM and TLS Data Analysis

The Mont de La Saxe rockslide (Courmayeur, Aosta Valley, Italy) is presently one of the most hazardous landslides in Northern Italy. Due to increasing activity in the last 5 years, the rockslide has been extensively investigated and monitored. We present topographic monitoring through ALS-LiDAR and TLS (Terrestrial Laser Scanning) surveys. This analysis is performed by visual comparison of LiDAR DEMs (1) in map and (2) profile format, and by the (3) elevation difference between successive DEMs. The efficacy of these three strategies depends on the rockslide kinematic, and the prevalence of either horizontal or vertical movements. In the first case, the visual comparison in map can be effective, while elevation difference is optimal to recognize prevalently vertical movements and areal extent of more active areas as well for a global zonation of the instability.

Monitoring, Geomorphological Evolution and Slope Stability of Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu: Results from Italian INTERFRASI project

The Geology of Machu Picchu area is characterised by granitoid bodies that had been emplaced in the axial zones of the main rift system. Deformation of the granite, caused by cooling and tectonic phases, originated 4 main joint sets, regularly spaced (few decimetres to metres). Several slope instability phenomena have been identified and classified according to mechanism, material involved and state of activity. They are mainly related to rock falls, debris flows, rock slides and debris slides. Origin of phenomena is kinematically controlled by the structural setting and relationship with slope face (rock falls, rock slide and debris slides); the accumulated materials is the source for debris flow. Geomorphological evidences of deeper deformations are currently under investigation.

Traces of the active Capitignano and San Giovanni faults (Abruzzi Apennines, Italy)

ABSTRACT We present a 1:20,000 scale map of the traces of the active Capitignano and San Giovanni faults in the area of the Montereale basin (central Apennines, Italy) covering an area of about 80 km2. Detailed fault mapping is based on high-resolution topography from airborne LiDAR imagery validated by extensive ground truthing and geophysical prospecting. Our analysis allowed the recognition of several features related to fault activity, even in scarcely accessible areas characterized by dense vegetation cover and rugged terrain. The identified fault traces run at the base of the NW-SE striking Montereale basin-bounding mountain front and along the base of the southwestern slope of the Monte Mozzano ridge, and have a length of about 12 and 8 km, respectively. Improving the knowledge of fault geometry is a critical issue not only for the recognition of seismogenic sources but also for surface fault hazard assessment and for local urban planning. The knowledge of the exact location of the fault traces is also crucial for the seismogenic characterization of the active faults by means of paleoseismological trenching.

Engineering geology for society and territory – Volume 6: Applied geology for major engineering projects

Practitioners know that geotechnical uncertainty never ends until a tunnel is completed. In some cases, uncertainty extends into operation. The present note summarizes relevant project financing elements such as viability, risk allocation, and bankability. Main financial instruments for different project structures are outlined, highlighting their likely ranges of application. Two key instruments for managing project risks, the Geotechnical Baseline Report, and the Project Risk Register, are presented and their joint use illustrated. The importance of carrying over uncertainty along the entire project cycle (planning, construction, and operation) is elaborated by using a concept borrowed from the hydropower sector. 2.1 Project Sustainability Achieving project sustainability is a pre-requisite for financing, together with project’s technical and economical viability. A recurrent message is that “the project cannot be implemented because of lack of financing”. While that is true in several cases, it is equally true that, in many instances, financing could be available with good project preparation and a robust financial architecture. So what does it take to prepare a “good project”? Over the years, the threshold of environmental and social acceptability for large projects has significantly raised, and it would be very unwise to get financially involved in any operation where these aspects have not been fully addressed. A group of international financing institutions have set out minimum requirements for a project to be financed. These principles, referred to as the “Equator Principles,” were first designed in 2003 in conjunction with the International Finance Corporation (IFC—the private sector arm of the World Bank); the most recent version is dated June 2013 (for details see www.equator-principles.com). 2.2 Financial Viability Government decision-making is based on the economic value of a project to a nation, but the financing of that project depends on its financial viability. Financial viability is the measure of the commercial strength of a project, generally assessed over a period of 15–20 years. It determines whether the project is robust enough to repay loans at commercial rates of interest even under a downside scenario, and whether it is likely to provide a sufficiently high return on equity to attract private investors. Water infrastructure projects often fall in the gap between economic and financial viability. A project can be economically attractive and represent the preferred option when seen from a long-term national perspective, but when considered as a commercial investment it may be unable to generate adequate financial returns. Xiaolangdi Multipurpose Project represents a relevant example (Table 2.1). The content of this paper reflects the experience of the author and, as such, does not necessarily represent policies or practices of the SaliniImpregilo Group. A. Palmieri (&) Salini-Impregilo SpA, Milan, Italy G. Lollino et al. (eds.), Engineering Geology for Society and Territory – Volume 6, DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-09060-3_2,

Landslide hazard assessment, monitoring and conservation of Vardzia monastery complex

Cultural heritage represents the legacy of human being to the planet earth. It is the evidence of 1,000 years of past generation evolution, to adapt our living condition to environment. Cultural heritage can be intangible (e.g. tradition, custom) and tangible, the latter including various physical objects, from historic landscapes and human transformed landscapes to sacred sites, archaeological sites, monumental sculpture, monumental painting, architecture and town planning. The above sites and remains are clearly not in equilibrium with environment. They are continuously impacted and weathered by several internal and external factors, both natural and human, with rapid and slow onset. Natural hazards are a clear example of such factors as well as long term weathering decay of rocks, until the effect of climate change, without disregarding the role of men, especially in war areas. In this context, an essential role on conservation and management of cultural properties has been identified by engineering geology and earth science in general. This approach was not very evident in the past, and now more attention to the integration of different sciences is demanded. Indeed, it is possible to affirm that the protection of the cultural heritage represents an interdisciplinary process (and not multi-disciplinary) at the border-line among art, history, science, policies for management and exploitation. In recent decades, many significant sites of cultural heritage have suffered damage, occasionally irreversible, from natural processes. This paper is presenting some case studies developed by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to protect and maintain important cultural heritage sites and historic urban landscapes, mainly in Country of the world recently involved in military conflicts or requiring international assistance and cooperation due to the dimension of the disaster or the relevance of threatened monument.The rock-cut city of Vardzia is a cave monastery site in south-western Georgia, excavated from the slopes of the Erusheti mountain on the left bank of the Mtkvari River. The main period of construction was the second half of the twelfth century. The caves stretch along the cliff for some eight hundred meters and up to fifty meters within the rocky wall. The monastery consists of more than six hundred hidden rooms spread over thirteen floors, which made possible to protect the monastery from the Mongol domination. The site was largely abandoned after the Ottoman takeover in the sixteenth century. The site is by the time affected by frequent slope instability processes along the entire volcanic tuff facade of the slope. Due to this phenomena the National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia (NACHPG) has promoted, with the support of ISPRA, a landslide hazard assessment for the entire area through rock mechanics characterization, geotechnical engineering survey, geostructural and kinematic analysis, slope stability model, 3D laser scanner acquisitions and elaborations, and a real time monitoring system (GB_Radar interferometry) for the identification of deformation path of the most hazardous areas. A field analysis was conducted to reconstruct geometry of the rocky cliff, characteristics of discontinuities, main failure modes and volume of potential unstable blocks and geomechanical parameters.

The Differential Slow Moving Dynamic of a Complex Landslide: Multi-sensor Monitoring

Monitoring is essential to understand the mechanics of landslides, and predict their behavior in time and space. In this work we discuss the performance of multi-sensor monitoring techniques applied to measure the kinematics and the landslide hydrology of Portalet landslide complex, which is located in the SW-facing slopes of Petrasos peak at the border between Spain and France. In the summer 2004, the excavation of a parking lot at the foot of the slides triggered a secondary failure in the lower part of the slope, accelerating the dynamic of the landslide complex. The deployed hydro-meteorological network has been useful to understand that the greatest infiltration in the moving mass is produced in spring due to the combination of snow melt and seasonal rainfall. Landslide surface kinematics measured with differential GPS (D-GPS) were useful to measure the slower (<10 cm/year) and faster (20–30 cm/year) dynamic of the landslide complex. Advanced DInSAR was useful to monitor the slower ground displacements from long datasets of SAR images, providing a wider spatial coverage and measurement point density than the D-GPS. In addition, the NL-InSAR processing strategy was applied to monitor the faster motion using short datasets of TerraSAR-X images excluding the snow cover period. The installed horizontal extensometers were useful to study the extension of the head scarp and its relationship with landslide hydrology, which is affected by the retrogressive effect of the landslide due to the loss of lateral confining pressure. Finally, an inclinometric robot system (AIS) was the only technique capable of detecting 5–6 time faster motion after the snow melt, since it provides daily measurements with high accuracy even during the snow cover period. These data, even if expensive to gather, are necessary to improve the hydro-mechanical modeling of large slow landslides, such as those already proposed for Portalet landslide complex.