Motion characteristics and trajectories of rockfalls under successive rockfall-vegetation collisions on slopes

DOU Hong-qiang; XIA Zhi-hao; GUO Shu-cheng; WANG Hao; GUO Chao-xu; JIAN Wen-bin

doi:10.19818/j.cnki.1671-1637.2026.015

Volume 26 Issue 7

Jul. 2026

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DOU Hong-qiang, XIA Zhi-hao, GUO Shu-cheng, WANG Hao, GUO Chao-xu, JIAN Wen-bin. Motion characteristics and trajectories of rockfalls under successive rockfall-vegetation collisions on slopes[J]. Journal of Traffic and Transportation Engineering, 2026, 26(7): 111-121. doi: 10.19818/j.cnki.1671-1637.2026.015

Citation:

DOU Hong-qiang, XIA Zhi-hao, GUO Shu-cheng, WANG Hao, GUO Chao-xu, JIAN Wen-bin. Motion characteristics and trajectories of rockfalls under successive rockfall-vegetation collisions on slopes[J]. Journal of Traffic and Transportation Engineering, 2026, 26(7): 111-121. doi: 10.19818/j.cnki.1671-1637.2026.015

Citation:

DOU Hong-qiang, XIA Zhi-hao, GUO Shu-cheng, WANG Hao, GUO Chao-xu, JIAN Wen-bin. Motion characteristics and trajectories of rockfalls under successive rockfall-vegetation collisions on slopes[J]. Journal of Traffic and Transportation Engineering, 2026, 26(7): 111-121. doi: 10.19818/j.cnki.1671-1637.2026.015

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Motion characteristics and trajectories of rockfalls under successive rockfall-vegetation collisions on slopes

doi: 10.19818/j.cnki.1671-1637.2026.015

DOU Hong-qiang^{1, 2, 3
,},
XIA Zhi-hao¹,
GUO Shu-cheng^{4, 5},
WANG Hao^{1, 2, 3
,
,},
GUO Chao-xu^{2, 3},
JIAN Wen-bin^{1, 2, 3}

1.
Zijin School of Geology and Mining, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, Fujian, China
2.
Fujian Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
3.
Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention in Hilly Mountains Areas, MNR, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
4.
Fujian Academy of Building Research Co., Ltd., Fuzhou 350108, Fujian, China
5.
Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Green and Low-carbon Building Technology, Fuzhou 350108, Fujian, China

Funds:

National Natural Science Foundation of China U2005205

Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province 2023J01423

Opening Fund of Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention in Hilly Mountains Areas, MNR FJKLGH2023K006

More Information

Corresponding author: WANG Hao, professor, PhD, E-mail: h_wang@126.com
Received Date: 2025-04-23
Accepted Date: 2025-08-25
Rev Recd Date: 2025-06-17
Publish Date: 2026-07-28

Abstract

Abstract

To investigate the interception effect of vegetation on rockfalls, reveal interaction patterns between rockfalls and vegetation, and explore rockfall motion characteristics and trajectory distribution under vegetation effects, a laboratory model test of continuous rockfall-vegetation collisions was designed and conducted based on similarity principles of rockfall motion. Based on mathematical and statistical methods, the distribution of rockfall trajectories and the changes in velocity and angle after collisions between rockfalls and vegetation were statistically evaluated and analyzed. Factors with significant effects on rockfall motion characteristics were quantitatively analyzed. The results show that, under non-vegetated conditions, rockfall trajectories are symmetrically distributed along the slope centerline. Under vegetated conditions, rockfall trajectories are characterized by an approximately normal distribution. After collisions with vegetation, rockfall velocity and energy are attenuated to varying degrees. The mean value of the velocity restitution coefficient is 0.497. The original motion direction is basically maintained by about 74.44% of rockfalls. Obvious rebound is observed in about 25.56% of rockfalls. The dispersion degree of rockfall landing points under non-vegetated conditions is significantly lower than that under vegetated conditions. Rockfall velocity at the slope-exit reference line is negatively correlated with the number of vegetation rows and the slope-surface friction coefficient. It is positively correlated with the slope gradient. Under the test conditions, when the number of vegetation rows is greater than 14, rockfall motion can be effectively blocked by vegetation. When the slope-surface friction coefficient is 0.087, the critical slope gradient for effective rockfall blocking is 5°. When the slope gradient is 20°, the critical slope-surface friction coefficient for effective rockfall blocking is 0.35 - 0.40. Rockfall motion characteristics and trajectories under continuous collisions with vegetation can be effectively reflected by the laboratory model test designed for continuous rockfall-vegetation collisions.
- road engineering,
- rockfall hazard,
- model test,
- motion characteristic,
- movement trajectory,
- vegetation

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References(30)

References

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Motion characteristics and trajectories of rockfalls under successive rockfall-vegetation collisions on slopes

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