Particle Simulation Protects Aainst Rock Avalanches

Simulation Particle Simulation Protects Against Rock Avalanches

2025-11-28 Source: Cadfem | Translated by AI 1 min Reading Time

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The use of specialized simulation software extends the fields of application in engineering beyond traditional product development: researchers at the University of Innsbruck are using particle simulation to more effectively protect threatened Alpine regions from natural hazards.

Particle simulation should help to analyze the properties of particle flows and better predict their course. Researchers will then use the results to derive the possible location and design of necessary protective structures.(Image: Adobe Firefly/Cadfem) — Particle simulation should help to analyze the properties of particle flows and better predict their course. Researchers will then use the results to derive the possible location and design of necessary protective structures.
(Image: Adobe Firefly/Cadfem)

The scientists in the Geotechnical Engineering department use the special Ansys Rocky simulation software to analyze and predict the properties and course of particle flows—from dust to debris masses. This is particularly relevant in view of the increase in gravitational mass movements, such as rockfalls, often caused by climate change.

Simulations to Optimize Protective Dams

The results of the simulations help the engineers to derive the possible location and specific design of the necessary protective structures.

To this end, around 200 model experiments were carried out in the laboratory to recreate rockfalls in miniature and investigate the flow, velocity and impact properties of the rock masses.
The calculation formulas derived from the laboratory measurements were then checked for plausibility using computer simulation and can now be applied to a variety of real-life scenarios.
The investigations focus on the energies occurring during rockfalls and the interactions with protective dams of different construction methods in order to adapt them optimally to the loads to be expected locally.
A massive rockfall near the municipality of Vals in Tyrol in 2017 was subsequently simulated and analyzed on the computer, which underpins the relevance of the method.

The project is supported by Cadfem, a provider of simulation technology, among others. The research work is breaking new ground with the comprehensive use of particle simulation for this application.

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Date: 08.12.2025

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