IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/nathaz/v119y2023i3d10.1007_s11069-023-06183-8.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Dynamic analysis of rockfall impact on a protective structure via FEM-DEM coupling

Author

Listed:
  • Dong Su

    (Shenzhen University
    Shenzhen University
    Shenzhen University)

  • Runqi Zhang

    (Shenzhen University)

  • Hao Xiong

    (Shenzhen University
    Shenzhen University
    Shenzhen University)

  • Debo Zhao

    (Shenzhen University
    Shenzhen University
    Shenzhen University)

Abstract

Rockfall is one of the most catastrophic hazards among natural calamities. The issue involving responses of discrete-continuum interactions concerning rockfall protection remains unclear. This study couples the finite element method with the discrete element method (FEM-DEM) to realize simulations of impact dynamics of falling boulder and computations of mechanical responses of a protective structure under imported loading. The FEM-DEM coupling algorithm is elucidated. The coupling approach is verified through a free-fall experiment with a block. The velocity and size effects on impact behavior of the boulder are investigated. The interactions between gravel cushion and the concrete structure are dissected. Structural responses correlated with boulder size and velocity effects are analyzed, and numerical results indicate that the two factors affect the variations of rotational velocity and the proportion of rotational-to-translational energy of block, respectively. Strengthening is observed at the bottom of cushion layer after block impact. Coupling results reveal that tensile stress is concentrated on the crown of retaining wall and the inner part of pile root, and structure deformation meets the need for stiffness. However, this type of protection carries a risk in obstructing boulders sized relatively large; additional structures should be considered in protection scheme.

Suggested Citation

  • Dong Su & Runqi Zhang & Hao Xiong & Debo Zhao, 2023. "Dynamic analysis of rockfall impact on a protective structure via FEM-DEM coupling," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 119(3), pages 1771-1797, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:119:y:2023:i:3:d:10.1007_s11069-023-06183-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-023-06183-8
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11069-023-06183-8
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s11069-023-06183-8?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Weigang Shen & Tao Zhao & Feng Dai, 2021. "Influence of particle size on the buffering efficiency of soil cushion layer against rockfall impact," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 108(2), pages 1469-1488, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Bin Gong & Xiang Yu & Yongjun Zhang & Chunyan Bao & Chun’an Tang, 2025. "Investigation into the rockfall impact process of a quarry landfill slope under highway expansion," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 121(5), pages 5669-5695, March.
    2. Shao-Zhen Duan & Guang-Li Li & Xin Yang & Xin-Rong Wei, 2024. "Predicting the velocity and trajectory of a rockfall after collision considering the effects of slope properties," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 120(2), pages 2057-2072, January.
    3. Yu Zhang & Jierui Feng & Longhuan Du & Peng Zhao & Jiao Peng & Chen Yang & Hua Fan & Liangpu Li, 2023. "Numerical Investigation of the Dynamic Response of a Sand Cushion with Multiple Rockfall Impacts," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-21, February.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:119:y:2023:i:3:d:10.1007_s11069-023-06183-8. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.