Italian journal of engineering geology and environment

Science and politics

2025-02-09T18:48:10+00:00

Comment on the article “Engineering-geological insights into the gypsum-bearing deposits of Punta delle pietre nere (puglia region, italy)”

2025-02-09T18:49:31+00:00

The present comment article discusses the recent paper by Calcaterra et alii (2024), in which they present the results of site-specific investigations in the Punta delle Pietre Nere area, enabling to better understand the buried limits of the chalky deposits, their depth, the geological characteristics of the covering soils and the groundwater flow conditions. According to these Authors, the distribution of gypsum-bearing deposits in the subsoil of the area is now better defined than in the past, when the uncertainty of the data represented a factor strongly limiting the local possibilities of settlements’ development. The present comment highlights as, unfortunately, the paper by Calcaterra et alii (2024) does not at all reduce the uncertainties of the literature data, many of which neglected and not discussed by these Authors.

Thermal properties variations in alluvial sediments of the Po River (Northern Italy)

2025-02-09T19:14:18+00:00

This work aims to highlight the possible influence of grain size, porosity, bulk density, and water content on thermal conductivity and to investigate possible empirical relationships. To achieve this goal, we created an experimental laboratory based on the guarded hot plate method to measure the thermal conductivity of unconsolidated materials. Loose sedimentary deposits were selected from Po Valley (Italy), while the clastic component was separated into standard size ranges and each class tested separately. This allowed us to relate thermal conductivity and grain size while taking into account also other petro-physical parameters. In order to obtain the widest possible granulometric spectrum, investigated samples are in the range from fine pebbles to very fine sand (-3 < φ < +4). These materials were also analysed to identify the present mineral phases. Thermally tests were conducted at different water saturation degrees. The results were processed using statistical techniques and compared with literature data and empirical equations.

Remote sensing technologies supporting rockfall hazard assessment for transportation routes management

2025-02-09T19:22:14+00:00

Remote sensing technologies offer enhanced capabilities for the assessment of rockfall hazard impacting transportation networks and the related risk management. This study examines the application of UA V-based photogrammetry and terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) for comprehensive geomechanical characterisation of rock masses, as well as the potential of photomonitoring techniques for slope stability assessment. A rock cliff located between the towns of Minori and Maiori (SA , Italy) was selected as the test site. Photogrammetric surveys were conducted using DJI Mavic 3 and DJI Matrice 200 aerial platforms. The surveys were performed at two flight distances (15 and 35 meters) for a portion of the rock face to investigate the effect of camerato-subject range on the resulting point cloud properties. The derived point clouds were analysed to extract geostructural and geomechanical parameters, including discontinuity orientation, normal spacing, Jv, RQD, and block volumes. Semi-automatic analyses demonstrated the viability of both photogrammetric and TLS approaches, while highlighting the need for methodological adaptations in the photogrammetric method due to reconstruction challenges posed by the installed protective rockfall net. Additionally, the study explored the use of photomonitoring for change detection of natural slopes, highlighting its potential as a complementary technique. The integration of multiple remote sensing methods provides a robust framework for slope stability assessment and management, contributing to enhanced transportation infrastructure resilience.

Physio-mechanical properties of Minawar Granite: implications for building stone in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

2025-02-09T19:35:11+00:00

Granite, as a building stone has been valued for centuries due to its strength, durability, and aesthetic properties. Granitic rock deposits are abundant in Pakistan, mostly in the northern regions that include the Himalayas and Trans-Himalayas. The present study aimed to investigate the physio-mechanical properties of Minawar granite, located near Gilgit city in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan to assess its suitability as a construction material. Various standardized tests were performed on 14 rock samples, including uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), Schmidt hammer rebound values, point load index (PLI), ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), Brazilian tensile strength (BTS), porosity, and water absorption. Results reveal that fresh granite samples had an average UCS of 138.9 MPa, whereas dry and saturated samples had lower UCS values. Schmidt Hammer testing conducted on-site with natural environmental conditions impacted rebound values to be higher than those obtained in laboratory experiments. PLI values (5.32 to 9.13 MPa) revealed granite’s variability, although UPV measurements proved its high quality, with uniform density and few internal faults. The BTS tests showed an average tensile strength of 17.76 MPa. Moreover, the water absorption of the granite samples was very low - average of 0.21% for a fore mentioned commercial granites which is the reason to have an extremely good physical endurance considering material durability and resistance to weathering; low porosity and low water absorption make it ideal for moisture-rich conditions. Our results reveal that the Minawar granite meets and exceeds standard dimension stone specifications, confirming its superior quality and durability as a construction material for both indoor and outdoor use. These findings provide useful insights for future construction projects, demonstrating Minawar granite’s ability to deliver higher performance and longevity.

Landslides inventory map of the roadway SS103 in Southern Apennines (Italy)

2025-02-09T19:48:44+00:00

Landslides represent one of the main processes affecting mountainous and hilly landscapes, and within the context of geological hazard, they can cause the damming of many paths and roads, hindering the movement of people and goods. Landslide inventory maps specifically created along roadways, serve as the fundamental knowledge tool for designing interventions. The paper deals with the mapping of landslides distribution along the roadway SS103 “Val d’Agri” which is a relevant thoroughfare crossing the Campania and Basilicata regions, in southern Italy. The mapping is realized in a 71 km long transect, considering a width of 2 km to allow for the complete mapping of landslide bodies intersecting with the road infrastructure. Field surveys and UAV images were used to map landslides, in a landslide inventory map at 1:5000 scale. Lithology and slope features were primarily considered to divide the transect into 15 homogeneous sectors. The investigation allowed us to detect more than 2300 landslides which were classified on movement types and state of activity. Results show that the largest number of landslides occurred in sandstone and clayey lithologies, both
in mountain and hill landscapes. This landslides inventory map represents the basic tool for further hazard investigation.

Geological model of the Stiffe-San Martino d’Ocre ridge (Central Apennines, Italy); evidence of multiple factors driving a mountain-scale deformation

2025-02-09T19:56:46+00:00

The following paper illustrates the geological model of the Stiffe-San Martino d’Ocre ridge, which features a morpho-structural setting attributable to a Deep-Seated Gravitational Slope Deformation (DSGSD) process. The model reconstruction is based on geological and geomorphological surveys accompanied by remote sensing, geomechanical characterization, and geophysical investigations. Based on the results of the multidisciplinary analyses, it can be supposed that the Stiffe-San Martino d’Ocre ridge is affected by a DSGSD process, as diagnostic morphologies are significant at surface. The geological survey highlighted that the main morphological scarp of Fonteavignone-Terranera, does not coincide with any of the tectonic elements that influence the morphological structure of the relief. On the other way, a possible morphogenetic role for karst processes can be hypothesized, as the mountain ridge features numerous sinkholes and dolines, and the Stiffe Caves. The morpho-evolutionary setting of the ridge can be summarised in three main phases: a first phase, when gravitydriven deformations favoured by the relief energy of the incised Aterno Valley, affected the tectonic discontinuities, causing the development of minor DGPV in the marginal sectors of the ridge; a second phase, during which karst processes dominated the ridge, facilitated by discontinuities, controlling local lateral unconfinement in the middle part of the ridge thus allowing the gravitational process to extend to the Fonteavignone-Terranera scarp; a third and last phase, when the infilling of the Aterno Valley has redefined the ridge morphology, leading the deformational process to a state of apparent quiescence.

Trend Analysis of Snow Cover Changes Using Statistical Downscaling Model and Climate Scenarios in Sefid-Rud Basin (Iran)

2025-02-09T20:12:16+00:00

Investigating the status of snow cover and possible changes due to climate change is a vital and important issue. In the present study, snow cover change trends, possible effect of climatic parameters on these changes and future forecasts
of snow cover of Sefid-Rud Basin are investigated using 8-day MOD10A2 products of moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor for the period 2000-2019. After preparing the snow cover map of all the images of the
study period, the percentage of snow cover is determined. In each of the 11 subbasins, one pixel is selected to demonstrate the results in more detail. Then based on the climate parameters of the CanESM2 climate model from the fifth climate change report (FCCR) and utilizing the statistical downscaling model (SDSM), climate parameters effective in changes of snow cover of the 11 pixels for the period of 2000-2005 are determined. To validate the effect of these results on snow cover change patterns, the results of the 2006-2019 period are compared with the snow cover obtained from satellite images. Finally, by determining the relationship between climatic parameters and snow cover and according to the scenarios of FCCR, the snow cover of the 11 pixels is calculated for the period 2020-2100. The study of the effect of CanESM2 climatic parameters on snow cover shows that at all 11 pixels, several climatic parameters, particularly temperature and wind speed, impacted the snow cover change patterns. Therefore, to predict future snow cover, climatic data are used based on the scenarios, indicating that snow cover would decrease sharply based on the two scenarios RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, particularly RCP8.5. The results of the model validation and comparison with satellite data show that the accuracy of the SDSM in predicting snow cover is acceptable.