Rock-fall hazard is a common geological hazard in western alpine gorge area. It has the features of random and uncertain. The large-scale rock-fall hazard induced by Wenchuan Earthquake in 2008 caused huge economic losses and casualties.

Chediguan Bridge

In recent years, under the support of NSFC and Project 973, Prof. HE Siming from Chengdu Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment (IMHE) and his group studied mechanism of collapse and rock-fall hazards and made important breakthrough in basic theory and prevention measures of rock-fall.

HE’s group developed an energy dissipation and seismic mitigation method to prevent the rock-fall hazard. The group also invented a new energy dissipation cushion structure and protective structure of rock retaining wall. Moreover, HE’s group has published more than 20 papers and applied 4 patents.

The research results have been successfully applied into the prevention of rock-fall in Yingxiu-Wolong Road, National Highway No. 213, and Chediguan Bridge. It’s proved that the research has made good progress in economic and social effects and will play more and more important role in protecting national security and people’s lives and property.