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Analysis of institutional authors

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October 3, 2023
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Rockfall hazard mitigation on infrastructures in volcanic slopes using computer-modelled ditches

Publicated to:Transportation Geotechnics. 25 - 2020-12-01 25(), DOI: 10.1016/j.trgeo.2020.100402

Authors: Yepes J; García-González C; Franesqui MA

Affiliations

Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria - Author

Abstract

Rockfalls on transport infrastructures are a serious hazard to users and many resources are invested in rock slope maintenance, stabilization, and protective measures. In volcanic territories, the risk of rock instabilities and rockfalls is very high due to the rugged natural slopes and origin of rock masses. With the aim of determining the influence of the geometric and material-related properties affecting rockfall motion and the effectiveness of catchment area design criteria, this study applies a computer simulation model considering 150 different slope configurations and ditch geometries, 4 types of materials and 9 size and shape combinations of falling rocks. A statistical analysis of the simulated rock stop-distances was performed. Results show that density, hardness, roundness and size are material properties directly correlated with the rockfall stop-distance. However, block accumulation distribution differs with the rock hardness. Furthermore, practical application design charts are proposed for infrastructure planning and design tasks. These offer the ditch dimensions depending on the relation between the optimal stop-distance and the cumulative percentage retained along the trajectory, complying with specific retention requirements, and optimize the dimensions of previous studies. A triangular ditch of foreslope steepness 14° offered better retention capacity and road safety than a deep flat-bottom ditch. These rockfall protection areas constitute non-structural defence measures of reduced environmental impact and cost in volcanic territories.

Keywords

DitchRoad slopeRockfall catchment areaRockfall passive protectionRockfall stop-distanceVolcanic terrain

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Transportation Geotechnics due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency Scopus (SJR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2020, it was in position , thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Civil and Structural Engineering. Notably, the journal is positioned above the 90th percentile.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from the Field Citation Ratio (FCR) of the Dimensions source, it yields a value of: 1.6, which indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: Dimensions Jul 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-07-18, the following number of citations:

  • Scopus: 7

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-07-18:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 22 (PlumX).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (YEPES TEMIÑO, JORGE) .