Rockfall trajectory reconstruction: a flexible method utilizing video footage and high-resolution terrain models

Abstract. Many examples of rockfall simulation software provide great flexibility to the user at expense a hardly achievable parameter unification. With sensitive site-dependent parameters that are generalizable from literature and case studies, must properly calibrate simulations for desired site by performing back-calculation analyses. Thus, trajectory reconstruction methods needed. For purpose, computer-assisted videogrammetric 3D method (CAVR) built on earlier approaches is proposed. Rockfall impacts visually identified timed video footage manually transposed detailed high-resolution terrain models act as spatial reference. This shift in reference removes dependency steady precisely positioned cameras, ensuring CAVR can be used reconstructing trajectories witnessed previous records with nonoptimal footage. validation, applied reconstruct some experiment performed WSL Institute Snow Avalanche Research SLF. The results compared ones SLF share many similarities. Indeed, translational energies, bounce heights, rotational impact positions against flexible barrier compare well those comparison shows presented cost-effective reproduce proper experiments or real events.