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Infrared thermography is a growing technology in the engineering geological field both for the remote survey of rock masses and as a laboratory tool for the non-destructive characterization of intact rock. In this latter case, its utility can be found either from a qualitative point of view, highlighting thermal contrasts on the rock surface, or from a quantitative point of view, involving the study of the surface temperature variations. Since the surface temperature of an object is proportional to its emissivity, the knowledge of this last value is crucial for the correct calibration of the instrument and for the achievement of reliable thermal outcomes. Although rock emissivity can be measured according to specific procedures, there is not always the time or possibility to carry out such measurements. Therefore, referring to reliable literature values is useful. In this frame, this paper aims at providing reference emissivity values belonging to 15 rock types among sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic categories, which underwent laboratory emissivity estimation by employing a high-sensitivity thermal camera. The results show that rocks can be defined as “emitters”, with emissivity generally ranging from 0.89 to 0.99. Such variability arises from both their intrinsic properties, such as the presence of pores and the different thermal behavior of minerals, and the surface conditions, such as polishing treatments for ornamental stones. The resulting emissivity values are reported and commented on herein for each different studied lithology, thus providing not only a reference dataset for practical use, but also laying the foundation for further scientific studies, also aimed at widening the rock aspects to investigate through IRT.
Simone Mineo; Giovanna Pappalardo. Rock Emissivity Measurement for Infrared Thermography Engineering Geological Applications. Applied Sciences 2021, 11, 3773 .
AMA StyleSimone Mineo, Giovanna Pappalardo. Rock Emissivity Measurement for Infrared Thermography Engineering Geological Applications. Applied Sciences. 2021; 11 (9):3773.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSimone Mineo; Giovanna Pappalardo. 2021. "Rock Emissivity Measurement for Infrared Thermography Engineering Geological Applications." Applied Sciences 11, no. 9: 3773.
In this study, we present a preliminary recognition of geohazards at the natural reserve archipelago “Lachea Islet and Cyclop Rocks” by integrating infrared thermography (IRT) and morphological-aerial interpretation. The study area, located in the wider setting of the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Mount Etna (eastern Sicily), is a worldwide renowned tourist destination suffering from a limited fruition due to the instability of rock masses. The peculiar setting of the area, represented by steep sea rocks and an islet, requires the employment of remote surveying methodologies for the preliminary slope characterization in the perspective of safe ground surveys. In this paper, IRT analysis allowed the recognition of signs of past rockfalls, as well as the presence of loose rock material likely laying in unstable conditions, thanks to the variation of the surface temperature characterizing the slope. The combination of IRT outcomes with morphological-aerial data allowed recognizing the potential source areas of future rockfalls, which were modeled through trajectory simulations. Results showed that a relevant strip of sea surrounding the studied sea rock could be crossed by falling blocks, suggesting the need of instituting a forbidden area for a safe fruition of the reserve. Furthermore, IRT allowed for the recognition of some peculiar features linked to the presence of tectonic lines. Such correspondence was validated by a comparison with literature structural data, proving the potential of such remote methodological approach. This represents a new aspect of the application of IRT to other fields of geosciences, thus representing a starting point for the scientific development of new technological branches.
Giovanna Pappalardo; Simone Mineo; Serafina Carbone; Carmelo Monaco; Domenico Catalano; Giovanni Signorello. Preliminary Recognition of Geohazards at the Natural Reserve “Lachea Islet and Cyclop Rocks” (Southern Italy). Sustainability 2021, 13, 1082 .
AMA StyleGiovanna Pappalardo, Simone Mineo, Serafina Carbone, Carmelo Monaco, Domenico Catalano, Giovanni Signorello. Preliminary Recognition of Geohazards at the Natural Reserve “Lachea Islet and Cyclop Rocks” (Southern Italy). Sustainability. 2021; 13 (3):1082.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiovanna Pappalardo; Simone Mineo; Serafina Carbone; Carmelo Monaco; Domenico Catalano; Giovanni Signorello. 2021. "Preliminary Recognition of Geohazards at the Natural Reserve “Lachea Islet and Cyclop Rocks” (Southern Italy)." Sustainability 13, no. 3: 1082.
In mountainous areas around the world, dealing with rockfalls means facing some technical survey difficulties due to the low accessibility of areas and the height of slopes. If a cultural heritage is also threatened by such mass movement, the need of specific survey solutions, even in a combined asset, is required. This paper deals with the integration of ground and UAV rock mass surveys aimed at defining the rockfall attitude of an unstable rock cliff sector hosting an example of cultural heritage in tourist area of southern Italy, whose fruition has already been threatened by the occurrence of rockfalls. As an example of the defensive architecture of XII and XIII centuries, the Saracen Castle in Taormina is reached by hundreds of visitors each year, but its access path and the surrounding area are threatened by the unstable condition of the cliff, hosting unstable rock volumes on kinematically critical planes. In order to achieve a reliable geostructural setting of the cliff, aiming at its possible securing through proper mitigation works, ground rock mass surveys could not provide enough information due to the bad accessibility of the rock faces. Therefore, a survey by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, with a reliable verified accuracy, was carried out to map the discontinuity planes especially occurring at the highest portions of the cliff, achieving geostructural data of different fronts of the cliff. Ground and aerial data were combined and statistically analyzed to define the main kinematic failure patterns. In this perspective, a critical comparison between the two employed surveying methodologies is proposed herein, highlighting that both approaches are affected by potential and limitations and that the integration of the mutual dataset represents a suitable solution for a complete rock mass characterization in this type of areas. Furthermore, rockfall simulations allowed ascertaining that potential falling blocks would cross the access path to the castle, thus representing a natural threat to the fruition of cultural heritage, thus proving the need of mitigation measures to ensure the safe fruition of the cultural heritage.
Simone Mineo; Giovanna Pappalardo; Salvatore Onorato. Geomechanical Characterization of a Rock Cliff Hosting a Cultural Heritage through Ground and UAV Rock Mass Surveys for Its Sustainable Fruition. Sustainability 2021, 13, 924 .
AMA StyleSimone Mineo, Giovanna Pappalardo, Salvatore Onorato. Geomechanical Characterization of a Rock Cliff Hosting a Cultural Heritage through Ground and UAV Rock Mass Surveys for Its Sustainable Fruition. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (2):924.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSimone Mineo; Giovanna Pappalardo; Salvatore Onorato. 2021. "Geomechanical Characterization of a Rock Cliff Hosting a Cultural Heritage through Ground and UAV Rock Mass Surveys for Its Sustainable Fruition." Sustainability 13, no. 2: 924.
Hazard and risk assessment procedures of different types of rockfall were analyzed to compare their outcomes when they are applied to the same case study. Although numerous methodologies are available in literature, rockfall hazard and risk analyses are often limited to standard estimations, affected by a margin of uncertainty, especially when relevant engineering projects are about to be realized. Based on the design purpose, different types of approaches can be chosen among the qualitative and quantitative ones available in literature, which allow different levels of analysis. One of the main criticisms related to rockfall events is the risk affecting linear structures, such as road or railways, due both to their strategic relevance for trade and communications and to the great entity of the exposed value (traffic units) traveling along them. In this perspective, a comparison between the qualitative method known as Evolving Rockfall Hazard Assessment (EHRA), the semi-quantitative modified Rockfall Hazard Rating System (RHRS) and the quantitative Rockfall Risk Management (RoMa) approach is herein commented according to a practical application to a case study. It is the case of the rockfall threat along slopes crossed by a strategic road connecting two of the most known spots of eastern Sicily (Italy), at the Taormina tourist complex. Data were retrieved from both recent literature and technical surveys on field. Achieved results highlight how the approaches are affected by a different level of detail and uncertainty, arising also by some necessary assumption that must be taken into account, especially when mitigation measures or territory planning have to be designed. Achieved results can be also taken into account for similar studies worldwide, in order to choose the most suitable procedure based on the design purpose. This is indeed crucial in the perspective of the optimization of time and economic resources in the territorial planning practice.
Simone Mineo. Comparing rockfall hazard and risk assessment procedures along roads for different planning purposes. Journal of Mountain Science 2020, 17, 653 -669.
AMA StyleSimone Mineo. Comparing rockfall hazard and risk assessment procedures along roads for different planning purposes. Journal of Mountain Science. 2020; 17 (3):653-669.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSimone Mineo. 2020. "Comparing rockfall hazard and risk assessment procedures along roads for different planning purposes." Journal of Mountain Science 17, no. 3: 653-669.
The research presented in this paper is aimed at testing an innovative surveying protocol based the integration of quick methodologies employed for the characterization of a carbonate cliff affected by a rockfall and showing signs of further instability. During a post-rockfall emergency, one of the most important activities is evaluating if reactivation of the movements is possible, and if it may represent a threat for a series of elements at risk. On 5 January 2019, intense rainfalls triggered the detachment of a significant volume of fractured limestone and dolostone below the main square of a historical village located in southern Italy in the municipality of Messina, giving rise to one of the greatest landslides occurred at one of the most tourist areas of northeastern Sicily. Fallen blocks damaged the two main infrastructures of the area reaching also a bus terminal, which fortunately was vacant at the time of the rockfall. With the aim of proposing a quick surveying protocol during a post-rockfall emergency, terrestrial laser scanner, infrared thermography, and horizontal to vertical spectral ratio surveys were employed for the geostructural characterization of the cliff and for the investigation of the subsoil below the main square. In particular, the survey through terrestrial laser scanner returned an accurate 3D model of the cliff, where some key structures were highlighted; infrared thermography allowed recognizing caves and fractures along the cliff, with specific reference to a hollow area arising from past rockfalls. Such remote data, along with direct rock mass surveys performed by expert climbers allowed ascertaining that the instability of this cliff is driven by wedges formed by the intersection of 2 and 3 discontinuity systems, which are likely related to the main tectonic systems of the area. The horizontal to vertical spectral ratio survey allowed the identification of a peculiar vertical contrast of impedance, which may be related to a mechanical discontinuity located below the main square of the village, well matching with one of the systems responsible of the instability. The integration of these surveys methodologies resulted a useful quick protocol for the achievement of the key information on the stability of a rock cliff in the initial stage of its securing.
G. Pappalardo; S. Mineo; S. Imposa; S. Grassi; A. Leotta; F. La Rosa; D. Salerno. A quick combined approach for the characterization of a cliff during a post-rockfall emergency. Landslides 2020, 17, 1063 -1081.
AMA StyleG. Pappalardo, S. Mineo, S. Imposa, S. Grassi, A. Leotta, F. La Rosa, D. Salerno. A quick combined approach for the characterization of a cliff during a post-rockfall emergency. Landslides. 2020; 17 (5):1063-1081.
Chicago/Turabian StyleG. Pappalardo; S. Mineo; S. Imposa; S. Grassi; A. Leotta; F. La Rosa; D. Salerno. 2020. "A quick combined approach for the characterization of a cliff during a post-rockfall emergency." Landslides 17, no. 5: 1063-1081.
This paper deals with the evaluation of rockfall risk in cultural heritage, in the frame of a quick protocol for a preliminary zonation, to ensure the safe management and sustainable fruition of the sites. Several historical complexes in mountainous areas are indeed threatened by rock slope instability, and rockfalls can be counted among the main causes of fatality. In such a complex, a rockfall risk zonation would represent a useful management tool for both the choice of specific safe tourist paths, but also for the proper employment of economic resources allocated for mitigation measures. Nevertheless, the management of cultural heritage lacks such plans and tourists are often exposed to risks, while funds are often employed without a specific priority. In this paper, a quick procedure was tested at the historical complex of Taormina (southern Italy), which hosts numerous tourist spots often affected by rockfalls. The Saracen castle, for example, is currently closed to the public due to the rockfalls that repeatedly affected the entrance road, while Castelmola village, counted among one of the most beautiful Italian villages, stands on the top of a cliff affected by frequent rockfalls involving the only access road. The approach is composed of several steps and requires a heavy site characterization in terms of historical records and geostructural setting. The risk assessment procedure was chosen among the semiquantitative ones available in literature, and the final assessed risk was represented on a thematic map to provide a tool which could be used as a base for the planning of final remedial works.
Simone Mineo; Giovanna Pappalardo. Sustainable Fruition of Cultural Heritage in Areas Affected by Rockfalls. Sustainability 2019, 12, 296 .
AMA StyleSimone Mineo, Giovanna Pappalardo. Sustainable Fruition of Cultural Heritage in Areas Affected by Rockfalls. Sustainability. 2019; 12 (1):296.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSimone Mineo; Giovanna Pappalardo. 2019. "Sustainable Fruition of Cultural Heritage in Areas Affected by Rockfalls." Sustainability 12, no. 1: 296.
This paper aims at reporting on the most recent outcomes of an innovative potential laboratory test (IRTest), which allows the indirect estimation of porosity of intact rock specimens through InfraRed Thermography. Starting from the positive preliminary available literature data, proving the existence of a relation between the cooling of previously heated rocks and their porosity, in this paper five different rock types, with a variable porosity grade (ranging from 40%), were tested according to an innovative procedure. After an initial heating phase, their cooling was monitored through InfraRed Thermography and the Cooling Rate Index (CRI) was calculated to describe their attitude during the heat dissipation. Such index proved well correlated to the porosity of tested specimens, which was preliminary calculated according to international standards. Achieved outcomes demonstrate that the cooling trend of rocks within the first 10 min of test (CRI10) represents a reliable index for the indirect quantification of such important physical parameter, thus proposing a wide range of ideas for further scientific researches aiming at implementing and validating the scientific casuistry on this new topic.
S. Mineo; G. Pappalardo. InfraRed Thermography presented as an innovative and non-destructive solution to quantify rock porosity in laboratory. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences 2019, 115, 99 -110.
AMA StyleS. Mineo, G. Pappalardo. InfraRed Thermography presented as an innovative and non-destructive solution to quantify rock porosity in laboratory. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences. 2019; 115 ():99-110.
Chicago/Turabian StyleS. Mineo; G. Pappalardo. 2019. "InfraRed Thermography presented as an innovative and non-destructive solution to quantify rock porosity in laboratory." International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences 115, no. : 99-110.
InfraRed Thermography (IRT) is presented herein as a support methodology during the rock mass survey. Although this technique is widely used in several scientific fields, its direct application for such purposes is still pioneering. In this review paper, the outcomes of the most recent researches on the application of IRT to the rock mechanics are reported and commented, with particular reference to the study of thermograms and to the development of a Cooling Rate Index (CRI), useful for the evaluation of the jointing condition of the rock. Three application cases are commented to demonstrate the reliability of such methodology in the geomechanics, taking into account both bare-jointed rock masses and highly weathered rock slopes. Achieved results lay the foundation for future researches aiming at a refined and improved survey methodology, which would be a useful support in the geomechanical analysis of heavily fractured rock masses.
Giovanna Pappalardo; Simone Mineo. Study of Jointed and Weathered Rock Slopes Through the Innovative Approach of InfraRed Thermography. Landslides in Sensitive Clays 2018, 85 -103.
AMA StyleGiovanna Pappalardo, Simone Mineo. Study of Jointed and Weathered Rock Slopes Through the Innovative Approach of InfraRed Thermography. Landslides in Sensitive Clays. 2018; ():85-103.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiovanna Pappalardo; Simone Mineo. 2018. "Study of Jointed and Weathered Rock Slopes Through the Innovative Approach of InfraRed Thermography." Landslides in Sensitive Clays , no. : 85-103.
Infrared thermography and DInSAR surveying methodologies have been integrated and compared to study the state and distribution of activity of one of the largest landslides of northeastern Sicily, Italy, which is characterized by a slow retrogressive evolution. The Randazzo Landslide was triggered by heavy rainfalls in 1996 and its activity caused the disruption of a strategic transportation corridor, along with the formation of a landslide dam in the Alcantara Valley. After more than 20 years, the slope is still affected by instability and worrying signs of reactivations (e.g., deformation and cracking of road pavement) were surveyed in the field. The application of infrared thermography during the landslide survey allowed detecting peculiar features according to the different thermal pattern of the elements occurring along the slope. In particular, areas with different surface temperature were associated to vegetated spots, steep portions, bare sectors, and contact between different lithologies. Incipient portions and ancient landslide bodies were located, proving the utility of this experimental approach to the surveying of unstable slopes. Information on the entity, in terms of velocity, of the recent landslide displacements were provided by a DInSAR monitoring, which allowed ascertaining the presence of movements affecting several sectors of the landslide, mainly matching with the areas highlighted by thermal images. Achieved outcomes represent a scientifically relevant datum providing important information on the surveyed landslide from the risk management point of view and proving the utility of integrating infrared thermography and DInSAR methodologies for the study of complex movements.
G. Pappalardo; S. Mineo; A. C. Angrisani; D. Di Martire; D. Calcaterra. Combining field data with infrared thermography and DInSAR surveys to evaluate the activity of landslides: the case study of Randazzo Landslide (NE Sicily). Landslides 2018, 15, 2173 -2193.
AMA StyleG. Pappalardo, S. Mineo, A. C. Angrisani, D. Di Martire, D. Calcaterra. Combining field data with infrared thermography and DInSAR surveys to evaluate the activity of landslides: the case study of Randazzo Landslide (NE Sicily). Landslides. 2018; 15 (11):2173-2193.
Chicago/Turabian StyleG. Pappalardo; S. Mineo; A. C. Angrisani; D. Di Martire; D. Calcaterra. 2018. "Combining field data with infrared thermography and DInSAR surveys to evaluate the activity of landslides: the case study of Randazzo Landslide (NE Sicily)." Landslides 15, no. 11: 2173-2193.
This paper reports on the investigation of the old landslide body on which the necropolis of Abakainon, an Italian archaeological site, was built about 2400 years ago. This site is located in a geologically complex area of northeastern Sicily, where active tectonics has strongly modified the morphological landscape, as testified by the meandering path of watercourses, widespread presence of paleosurfaces, and deviations of crest line. Previous studies have hypothesized that the necropolis, suddenly destroyed by a catastrophic event in historical times, could have been built on an old landslide body. This represents the starting point of this paper, focused on geomorphological analysis and geophysical surveys, which allowed discovering peculiar elements in support of the landslide theory. In particular, the elaboration of a Digital Terrain Model allowed locating the main morphostructural elements, thus highlighting how the occurrence of landslides in the study area is strongly linked to recent tectonics. Passive seismic surveys, carried out through the acquisition of ambient noise, allowed detecting the presence of impedance contrasts, which were associated to peculiar features, such as the landslide body itself. Moreover, local strong directional effects testify the presence of faults, affecting even the necropolis area. Such results, further corroborated by the outcomes of an electrical resistivity survey, lay the foundations for interesting consideration on the possible cause of the destruction of this site, probably related to the occurrence of a historical earthquake in the first century AD.
G. Pappalardo; S. Imposa; Maria Serafina Barbano; S. Grassi; S. Mineo. Study of landslides at the archaeological site of Abakainon necropolis (NE Sicily) by geomorphological and geophysical investigations. Landslides 2018, 15, 1279 -1297.
AMA StyleG. Pappalardo, S. Imposa, Maria Serafina Barbano, S. Grassi, S. Mineo. Study of landslides at the archaeological site of Abakainon necropolis (NE Sicily) by geomorphological and geophysical investigations. Landslides. 2018; 15 (7):1279-1297.
Chicago/Turabian StyleG. Pappalardo; S. Imposa; Maria Serafina Barbano; S. Grassi; S. Mineo. 2018. "Study of landslides at the archaeological site of Abakainon necropolis (NE Sicily) by geomorphological and geophysical investigations." Landslides 15, no. 7: 1279-1297.
A rockfall analysis at one of the most relevant cultural heritage sites of northeastern Sicily (Italy) is presented herein with the aim of assessing the hazard arising from the unstable conditions of the rock cliff of Taormina city, upon which the Saracen Castle is perched on its top. Several rockfalls affected this area in the latest years, representing a serious threat for the safety of inhabitants and tourists. Therefore, the qualitative Evolving Rockfall Hazard Assessment (ERHA) was applied for the hazard zonation, supported by rock mass surveys and Terrestrial Laser Scanner prospecting. Kinematic analysis revealed that the unstable rock failure patterns are represented by planar/wedge sliding and toppling, while simulation of potential rockfalls allowed studying the impact of future events in terms of trajectory and energy. This is higher at the foot of scarps and in steeper sectors, where the application of ERHA identified a critical zone close to the inhabited center, which is one of the main elements at risk, along with a pedestrian tourist path. Achieved results represent a starting point for the definition of risk management strategies and provide a scientific contribution to the study of hazard and risk arising from rockfall occurrence.
Simone Mineo; Giovanna Pappalardo; Michele Mangiameli; Santo Campolo; Giuseppe Mussumeci. Rockfall Analysis for Preliminary Hazard Assessment of the Cliff of Taormina Saracen Castle (Sicily). Sustainability 2018, 10, 417 .
AMA StyleSimone Mineo, Giovanna Pappalardo, Michele Mangiameli, Santo Campolo, Giuseppe Mussumeci. Rockfall Analysis for Preliminary Hazard Assessment of the Cliff of Taormina Saracen Castle (Sicily). Sustainability. 2018; 10 (2):417.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSimone Mineo; Giovanna Pappalardo; Michele Mangiameli; Santo Campolo; Giuseppe Mussumeci. 2018. "Rockfall Analysis for Preliminary Hazard Assessment of the Cliff of Taormina Saracen Castle (Sicily)." Sustainability 10, no. 2: 417.
Serpentinite rocks are employed and traded as building and ornamental stones as well as for decorative jewels worldwide. In Calabria (southern Italy), extensive ophiolite outcrops made of serpentinite and metabasite rocks allowed serpentinite exploitation and marketing since prehistorical times. For this reason, we chose some serpentinite –key outcrops, such as those ones located at quarries and road cut in the area of Sila Piccola (northern Calabria) to collect representative samples for specific laboratory analyses. The petrographic features of the serpentinite rock samples have been then investigated in detail by means of Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM), X-ray powder diffractometry (XRPD), Scanning Electron Microscopy combined with Energy-Dispersive Spectrometry (SEM/EDS). Moreover, some tests have been carried out on serpentinite specimens in order to establish their physical-mechanic properties such as the Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS), porosity and seismic behavior, before and after cycles of salt crystallization tests. This work aims to study serpentinites from Gimigliano and Conflenti quarry Calabria region (Italy) with an attempt to shed light on the variation of main physical-mechanical and petrophysical properties that occur after these rocks undergo ageing tests, in order to predict their behavior in monuments. Results showed that microfractures play a key-role in affecting the whole behavior of these rock, since the combined action of filling by salt and expansion implicate weaker behavior under the physical-mechanical point of view.
Rosalda Punturo; Rosolino Cirrincione; Giovanna Pappalardo; Simone Mineo; Eugenio Fazio; Andrea Bloise. Preliminary laboratory characterization of serpentinite rocks from Calabria (southern Italy) employed as stone material. 2018, 10, 1 .
AMA StyleRosalda Punturo, Rosolino Cirrincione, Giovanna Pappalardo, Simone Mineo, Eugenio Fazio, Andrea Bloise. Preliminary laboratory characterization of serpentinite rocks from Calabria (southern Italy) employed as stone material. . 2018; 10 ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRosalda Punturo; Rosolino Cirrincione; Giovanna Pappalardo; Simone Mineo; Eugenio Fazio; Andrea Bloise. 2018. "Preliminary laboratory characterization of serpentinite rocks from Calabria (southern Italy) employed as stone material." 10, no. : 1.
The analysis of a wide literature dataset of mechanical parameters related to intact rocks from more than 480 unconfined compression tests, coupled with new laboratory tests on 132 specimens, is proposed herein with the aim of analyzing the mechanical behavior of a great variety of rock types, mainly focusing on their crack initiation (σci) and crack damage (σcd) stress levels. These thresholds can be employed as warning indicators for rock mass damage and breakouts and represent important input parameters for numerical models. International literature lacks in a detailed analysis on the mutual dependence existing between the main mechanical properties of intact rocks and their crack stress thresholds. In this paper, the study of the correlation between crack initiation-crack damage stress levels and the failure strength of sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks is carried out through single and multiple regression approaches aimed at finding reliable prediction models, which can be useful when time-consuming laboratory experimental procedures need to be avoided. The correlation between predicted and measured values demonstrates that defined models represent a good tool for the empirical estimation of σci and σcd, and can be useful for preliminary engineering design dealing with stress-induced brittle fracturing, especially when the definition of warning indicators for rock mass damage and breakouts is needed. In fact, it is known that underground instability mainly depends on the redistribution of stresses around the excavation, which can produce induced stress concentrations, resulting in sudden release of stored energy and causing stress-induced brittle failure phenomena.
Giacomo Pepe; Simone Mineo; Giovanna Pappalardo; Andrea Cevasco. Relation between crack initiation-damage stress thresholds and failure strength of intact rock. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment 2017, 77, 709 -724.
AMA StyleGiacomo Pepe, Simone Mineo, Giovanna Pappalardo, Andrea Cevasco. Relation between crack initiation-damage stress thresholds and failure strength of intact rock. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment. 2017; 77 (2):709-724.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiacomo Pepe; Simone Mineo; Giovanna Pappalardo; Andrea Cevasco. 2017. "Relation between crack initiation-damage stress thresholds and failure strength of intact rock." Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment 77, no. 2: 709-724.
A quantitative risk analysis has been performed in a tourist area of Sicily (Italy) with the aim of assessing the rockfall risk along an important transportation corridor, crossing a geologically complex area and poor rock masses. The procedure followed herein is based on an event tree analysis, which was properly customized to take into account the peculiarity of the area and of the road path. Rock mass surveys, trajectory simulations and probabilistic models are proposed with the aim of calculating the probability related to possible scenarios in case of rockfalls. Achieved outcomes demonstrate that such procedure, resulting from a multifaceted study, is a reliable tool, which can be taken as reference to calibrate further risk models in comparable contexts of the world, where rockfall threaten communication routes. This would represent a helpful instrument to the scientific community and to local authorities dealing with one of the most troublesome natural phenomena affecting the public safety.
Simone Mineo; G. Pappalardo; A. D’Urso; D. Calcaterra. Event tree analysis for rockfall risk assessment along a strategic mountainous transportation route. Environmental Earth Sciences 2017, 76, 620 .
AMA StyleSimone Mineo, G. Pappalardo, A. D’Urso, D. Calcaterra. Event tree analysis for rockfall risk assessment along a strategic mountainous transportation route. Environmental Earth Sciences. 2017; 76 (17):620.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSimone Mineo; G. Pappalardo; A. D’Urso; D. Calcaterra. 2017. "Event tree analysis for rockfall risk assessment along a strategic mountainous transportation route." Environmental Earth Sciences 76, no. 17: 620.
Giovanna Pappalardo; R. Punturo; Simone Mineo; Loredana Contrafatto. The role of porosity on the engineering geological properties of 1669 lavas from Mount Etna. Engineering Geology 2017, 221, 16 -28.
AMA StyleGiovanna Pappalardo, R. Punturo, Simone Mineo, Loredana Contrafatto. The role of porosity on the engineering geological properties of 1669 lavas from Mount Etna. Engineering Geology. 2017; 221 ():16-28.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiovanna Pappalardo; R. Punturo; Simone Mineo; Loredana Contrafatto. 2017. "The role of porosity on the engineering geological properties of 1669 lavas from Mount Etna." Engineering Geology 221, no. : 16-28.
Giovanna Pappalardo; Simone Mineo. Investigation on the mechanical attitude of basaltic rocks from Mount Etna through InfraRed Thermography and laboratory tests. Construction and Building Materials 2017, 134, 228 -235.
AMA StyleGiovanna Pappalardo, Simone Mineo. Investigation on the mechanical attitude of basaltic rocks from Mount Etna through InfraRed Thermography and laboratory tests. Construction and Building Materials. 2017; 134 ():228-235.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiovanna Pappalardo; Simone Mineo. 2017. "Investigation on the mechanical attitude of basaltic rocks from Mount Etna through InfraRed Thermography and laboratory tests." Construction and Building Materials 134, no. : 228-235.
Simone Mineo; Giovanna Pappalardo. Preliminary results on the estimation of porosity in intact rock through InfraRed Thermography. Rendiconti Online della Società Geologica Italiana 2016, 41, 317 -320.
AMA StyleSimone Mineo, Giovanna Pappalardo. Preliminary results on the estimation of porosity in intact rock through InfraRed Thermography. Rendiconti Online della Società Geologica Italiana. 2016; 41 ():317-320.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSimone Mineo; Giovanna Pappalardo. 2016. "Preliminary results on the estimation of porosity in intact rock through InfraRed Thermography." Rendiconti Online della Società Geologica Italiana 41, no. : 317-320.
Giovanna Pappalardo; Simone Mineo. Microstructural controls on physical and mechanical properties of dolomite rocks. Rendiconti Online della Società Geologica Italiana 2016, 41, 321 -324.
AMA StyleGiovanna Pappalardo, Simone Mineo. Microstructural controls on physical and mechanical properties of dolomite rocks. Rendiconti Online della Società Geologica Italiana. 2016; 41 ():321-324.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiovanna Pappalardo; Simone Mineo. 2016. "Microstructural controls on physical and mechanical properties of dolomite rocks." Rendiconti Online della Società Geologica Italiana 41, no. : 321-324.
A detailed laboratory characterization of limestones employed for the reconstruction of Saint Nicholas Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage monument in southeastern Sicily, is presented herein with the purpose of achieving a complete knowledge on the behavior of such rocks under stress, whose engineering geological aspect had not been investigated before for scientific purposes. Specimens were sampled at three sites, where this rock is quarried from two lithofacies of the same geological formation, and are similar to other limestone varieties quarried worldwide and employed as construction material. Although slight differences between the samples occur at a macroscopic scale, geotechnical tests highlighted relevant differences from the physical and mechanical points of view. In order to look for one or more factors responsible of such dissimilarities, a statistical analysis was carried out and interesting outcomes were achieved with the help of a microscopic analysis of the specimens. Moreover, attention was paid on the modes of failure of tested specimens under compression, whose attitude was described and correlated to selected properties of the rock. Results have both a practical implication, because of the employment of this rock type as engineering material worldwide, and a scientific relevance, due to the peculiar behavior that such rock offered under stress.
Giovanna Pappalardo; S. Mineo; C. Monaco. Geotechnical characterization of limestones employed for the reconstruction of a UNESCO world heritage Baroque monument in southeastern Sicily (Italy). Engineering Geology 2016, 212, 86 -97.
AMA StyleGiovanna Pappalardo, S. Mineo, C. Monaco. Geotechnical characterization of limestones employed for the reconstruction of a UNESCO world heritage Baroque monument in southeastern Sicily (Italy). Engineering Geology. 2016; 212 ():86-97.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiovanna Pappalardo; S. Mineo; C. Monaco. 2016. "Geotechnical characterization of limestones employed for the reconstruction of a UNESCO world heritage Baroque monument in southeastern Sicily (Italy)." Engineering Geology 212, no. : 86-97.
Giovanna Pappalardo; Sebastiano Imposa; Simone Mineo; Sabrina Grassi. Evaluation of the stability of a rock cliff by means of geophysical and geomechanical surveys in a cultural heritage site (south-eastern Sicily). Italian Journal of Geosciences 2016, 135, 308 -323.
AMA StyleGiovanna Pappalardo, Sebastiano Imposa, Simone Mineo, Sabrina Grassi. Evaluation of the stability of a rock cliff by means of geophysical and geomechanical surveys in a cultural heritage site (south-eastern Sicily). Italian Journal of Geosciences. 2016; 135 (2):308-323.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiovanna Pappalardo; Sebastiano Imposa; Simone Mineo; Sabrina Grassi. 2016. "Evaluation of the stability of a rock cliff by means of geophysical and geomechanical surveys in a cultural heritage site (south-eastern Sicily)." Italian Journal of Geosciences 135, no. 2: 308-323.