Featured image: Project PI Miloš Marjanović present results at EUROCK 2024
The DEMONITOR project team presented its latest research at the ISRM European Rock Mechanics Symposium (EUROCK 2024) in Alicante, Spain, from July 15 to 19, 2024. This prestigious event brought together global rock mechanics and geotechnical engineering experts to discuss the latest advancements in understanding and managing rock formations and instabilities.
The project leader, prof. Miloš Marjanović presented a paper titled:
“Simulating Instabilities of a Rare Rock Landform in Devils’ Town, Serbia.”
This study focused on analyzing the erosion and stability of a single rock pillar at Devils’ Town using advanced geotechnical simulation techniques. The research aimed to identify potential rockfall sources, assess pillar stability, and predict future erosion patterns.
The study combined several state-of-the-art non-invasive techniques to monitor and analyze changes in rock formations, including:
- LiDAR and UAV-Based Photogrammetry – High-resolution 3D scans were used to track changes in the pillar’s structure between 2017 and 2018.
- Stress-Strain Analysis – Geotechnical models assessed the pillar’s stability under dry conditions, identifying areas at risk of detachment.
- Rockfall Trajectory Simulation – Using 3D modeling tools, researchers simulated how rock fragments detach and travel, providing insights into erosion risks and future landscape changes.
Results and implications
- The pillar analyzed in the study showed good overall stability, but minor rock fragment detachment was detected over the one-year monitoring period.
- Rockfall simulations confirmed that small fragments detach and roll downslope, but do not pose an immediate threat to the structure’s integrity.
- The research highlights the need for long-term systematic monitoring to improve predictions of erosion trends and stability risks.
This study reinforces the importance of combining modern geospatial techniques with geotechnical analysis to understand better how erosion and climate change impact Devils’ Town. The findings will improve conservation efforts and guide future monitoring strategies for preserving this unique geological wonder.
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