Workshop on “rockfall reconnaissance, modeling and mitigation design” in Tbilisi, Georgia

Between the 1st and 4th November 2022, the GIDRM conducted a practical field and laboratory course on rockfall reconnaissance, modeling and mitigation design in Tbilisi, Georgia, together with Baugeologisches Büro Bauer GmbH and AlpGeorisk.

Participants during data collection planning; Georgia’s first rockfall protection fence according to European standards; © GIZ

The objective of the workshop was to demonstrate and provide insights into the procedure of rockfall hazard analysis and mitigation design based on state-of-the-art methods within the field of geological hazard assessment. In addition, it strengthened NEA’s ability to apply these methods independently while building future cooperation with university representatives.

Within the four-day workshop, the participants covered the theoretical basis of rockfall mechanics, 3D rockfall modeling, and the definition of design parameters for mitigation measures (e.g., rockfall fences). The central element constituted a field trip to the Tskneti landslide area, where the international experts elaborated on the landscape features and guided the collection of the geological and geotechnical data. The collected data was then used on consecutive days to model the rockfall paths and design suitable mitigation measures to protect critical infrastructure from geological hazards. Overall, the workshop was perceived as successful in clarifying open questions and enabling the application of updated models and methods. A total of 37 participants from the Department of Geology at the National Environmental Agency (NEA), as well as Ph.D. and postgraduate students from the Georgian Technical University (GTU), Ilia State University (ILIAUNI), and Tbilisi State University (TSU) attended the workshop.

Detail investigation of rockfall sites regarding input parameters of rockfall modeling; © GIZ

This event took place within the context of the ongoing activity on hazard assessment for landslides in Georgia, which is anchored in GIDRM’s efforts to strengthen risk-informed development as an enabler of understanding complex risks and incorporating analytical tools into decision-making processes.

Overview of Tskneti landslide area; © GIZ