Rock falls are an ongoing problem in many states and worldwide, with implications for public safety, the economy, and the liability of transportation design engineers and geologists. In the United States, rock falls have become a concern as the larger slopes along the Interstates constructed 30 to 40 years ago have weathered and become prone to slope failure. New construction in mountainous areas has produced additional slopes and demands for rock fall hazard evaluation and for the design of mitigation systems. A new Transportation Research Board (TRB) report, scheduled for publication in 2008, assembles a comprehensive source of information on all aspects of rock falls as a reference for practitioners developing appropriate assessment and design procedures for their localities. The report focuses only on rock falls and does not cover the entire issue of the design of rock slopes. It includes diagrams, tables, references, and other aids documenting the evaluation and control of rock falls, including assessment and design options and considerations. The report is titled "Rock Fall Characterization and Control."
Abstract