The protective effect of forests against rockfall cannot be neglected in risk management. This is, of course, under the condition that a considerable slope length in the transit area is forested and that a tree diameter distribution which can provide sufficient ...

This contribution provides an overview of previous and current research on the main topics related to rockfall.

Rockfall is an extremely rapid process involving long travel distances. Due to these features, when an event occurs, the ability to take evasive action is practically zero and, thus, the risk of injury or loss of life is high. Damage to buildings and infrastructure ...

In France, Risk Prevention Plans (PPR) are standard documents that determine risk areas and building authorisations for ten-year periods. This paper is about the PPR revision of the town of Veyrier-du-Lac (France), where is implemented a new methodology based ...

This paper presents results of an iterative sequence of tests and improvements of a coupled rockfall and forest dynamics model with focus on the rockfall module.

Coppice forest stands can play a key protective role on active rockfall slopes in mountainous regions. This paper aims at quantifying their protection function and at explaining the role of different stand parameters in this function.

Following a major rockfall event in 1987, two types of protection measures were taken in the village Saint Martin le Vinoux (French Alps). Firstly, technical measures using civil engineering were installed, and secondly, a forest management intervention to ...

This study reveals that disturbance induced under natural conditions triggers more intense and more widespread anatomical responses than that induced under artificial stimuli, and that experimental laboratory tests considerably underestimate tree response. ...

The accuracy of rockfall trajectory simulations depends to a large extent on the calculation of the rebound of falling boulders on different parts of a slope where rockfalls could occur. The models commonly used for rebound calculation are based on restitution ...

There are presently no clear rules for determining optimal rockfall protection forests, taking into account forest and site characteristics as well as the size and energy of the falling rock. To provide a tool that meets these requirements and quantifies the ...