On the efficiency of GFRP anchors in soft rocks

L. Sandrini (Lead / Corresponding author), Matteo Oryem Ciantia, R. Castellanza, I. Bridi

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

The failure of geo-structures such as underground caves and vertical cliffs in soft rocks are frequent hazards that may cause damage to infrastructure and people when developing in inhabited centres. Canosa di Puglia, is a city located in southern Italy, characterised by hundreds of artificial cavities with high cultural value excavated in a soft Calcarenite. Because of chemical weathering, water infiltration and the increase of the in-service loads, the risk of sinkhole formation is high. The rapid evolution of the failure mechanism is in fact detrimental as it does not give any warning signs that may be used to mobilise countermeasures. The most common mitigation technique used in this context is cavity filling. On top of being expensive, such approach is highly environmentally unfriendly as the volumes of cement required and consequent CO2 released are large. Since most of these cavities are of high cultural value alternative mitigation measures preserving their originality is required. This paper proposes a new reinforcement method developed to answer to this need. Through an experimental campaign it is shown that by using Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymers (GFRP) bars combined with thixotropic materials a greater efficiency can be guaranteed with respect to the usual filling methods or to the use of steel bars. The paper discusses in detail the development and choice of the most efficient and performing materials by means of in situ pull tests on anchors installed in a cavity located near the city centre of Canosa di Puglia.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationGeotechnical Engineering in the Digital and Technological Innovation Era
EditorsAlessio Ferrari, Marco Rosone, Maurizio Ziccarelli, Guido Gottardi
Place of PublicationSwitzerland
PublisherSpringer
Pages841-847
Number of pages7
Edition1
ISBN (Electronic)9783031347610
ISBN (Print)9783031347603, 9783031347634
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 17 Jun 2023
EventVIII Convegno Nazionale dei Ricercatori di Ingegneria Geotecnica: 8th Italian Conference of Researchers in Geotechnical Engineering - Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
Duration: 5 Jul 20237 Jul 2023
https://www.cnrig23.community.unipa.it/

Publication series

NameSpringer Series in Geomechanics and Geoengineering
ISSN (Print)1866-8755
ISSN (Electronic)1866-8763

Conference

ConferenceVIII Convegno Nazionale dei Ricercatori di Ingegneria Geotecnica
Abbreviated titleCNRIG 2023
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityPalermo
Period5/07/237/07/23
Internet address

Keywords

  • cultural heritage
  • fibre glass
  • Hazard
  • mitigation
  • soft-rocks

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
  • Mechanics of Materials

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