What Is Rockfall Scaling?

Rockfall scaling is a technique used to remove loose rocks and boulders from steep slopes or cliff faces to reduce the risk of rockfall. Rockfall is a natural process in which rocks or boulders break away from a slope or cliff face and fall to the ground below. Rockfall can be caused by a variety of factors, including weathering, erosion, seismic activity, and human activity.

Rock scaling involves identifying loose rocks and boulders on a slope or cliff face and removing them using manual or mechanical techniques. This process can help to reduce the risk of rockfall by stabilizing the remaining rocks and boulders on the slope or cliff face.

Scaling is often used in areas where there is a risk of rockfall, such as near roads, railways, buildings, and other infrastructure. The process can help to improve safety and prevent damage to property and infrastructure caused by rockfall. At GeoStabilization International®, we offer a range of rock scaling techniques to meet the unique needs and challenges of every project.

Types of Rockfall Scaling

At GeoStabilization International®, we offer a range of rock scaling techniques to meet the unique needs and challenges of every project. Our services include:

• Manual scaling : Our skilled RRTs utilize scaling bars, airbags, or hydraulic jacks to manually remove loose rock and debris from cliffs and slopes.
• Mechanical scaling: Our team utilizes specialized machinery to remove loose rock and debris from cliffs and slopes, including rock drills and excavators.
•  Remote scaling: Our team utilizes cutting-edge technology, such as drones or robotic equipment, to access and remove loose rock and debris from di cult-to-reach areas.
• Blasting: We offer blasting capabilities, including the innovative Autostem technology, to remove loose rock and debris and enhance safety and infrastructure stability.

No matter the technique used, our team ensures that all rock scaling is performed safely and effectively, with minimal disturbance to the environment and surrounding areas.

Benefits of Rockfall Scaling

Rockfall scaling is a process used to remove loose rocks and boulders from a steep slope or cliff face to reduce the risk of rockfall. Here are some benefits of rockfall scaling:

• Improved Safety: One of the primary benefits of rock scaling is improved safety. By removing loose rocks and boulders, the risk of rockfall is reduced, which can prevent injuries or even fatalities in areas where people work or travel.
• Reduced Property Damage: Rockfall can cause significant property damage, including damage to buildings, infrastructure, and vehicles. Scaling a slope can help to reduce the risk of such damage by removing unstable rocks and boulders.
• Increased Stability : Scaling can also help to increase the overall stability of a slope or cliff face. By removing loose rocks, the remaining rocks are less likely to move, which can help to prevent future rockfall events.
• Reduced Maintenance Costs: By proactively removing loose rocks and boulders, scaling loose rocks can help to reduce maintenance costs associated with repairing damage caused by rockfall.
• Environmental Protection: Rockfall scaling can help to protect the environment by preventing rocks from falling into streams or rivers, which can have a negative impact on aquatic ecosystems. It can also help to prevent erosion and protect habitats of endangered species.

Rockfall Assessment/Analysis/Design

Our Rockfall Mitigation team is committed to responding within 24 hours after receiving a notification call. Then utilizing the latest technology, including UAVs and 3-D Photogrammetry, our personnel will evaluate a site objectively and recommend the best approaches for remediation, even if they don’t include our proprietary equipment or technologies. This philosophy assures our clients that we will address every rockfall event with a context-sensitive solution designed specifically for a given site.

GeoStabilization’s rockfall engineers will analyze the collected data to determine the slope’s potential failure areas and mechanisms. Then, using software packages including RockPack, RocPlane, SWedge, RockFall, Dips, CRSP, SplitFX, Slide, and Plaxis, our geologists and engineers can create solution designs, remediate current rock slopes and rockfall failures, and prevent future occurrences.

The Importance of Rope Access Safety

At GeoStabilization International®, safety is our top priority. That’s why our Rockfall Remediation Technicians (RRTs) are some of the most highly trained individuals in the industry, holding S.P.R.A.T. (Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians) rope-access certifications. Our Rope Access Program has earned the Association of Geohazard Professionals’ Safety Recognition as a geohazard industry best-in-class safety program annually since 2018.

We understand that working at height poses unique safety challenges, especially when performing rock scaling on steep cliffs and slopes. That’s why our team of RRTs undergoes rigorous safety training and adheres to strict safety protocols to ensure that all rock scaling is performed safely and effectively. We also use cutting-edge safety equipment and techniques, such as fall arrest systems and redundancy systems, to mitigate the risk of falls and ensure that our team can work safely and efficiently.

No matter the technique used, our team ensures that all rock scaling is performed safely and effectively, with minimal disturbance to the environment and surrounding areas. Contact us today to learn more about how our rock scaling services can enhance public safety and infrastructure durability. Contact us today for a professional assessment.

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