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Permeation grouting - injections at low-pressure values of either microfine cements or chemical products - is frequently adopted to increase the mechanical/hydraulic properties of soils, and standard design approaches are currently either empirical or based on simplified analytical solutions. In this paper, some fundamental hypotheses of these analytical solutions are discussed by carrying out a campaign of finite-element numerical analyses, in which the injection phase in a water-saturated soil is analysed, a Newtonian rheology for the grout is implemented and the hypothesis of immiscibility for the two liquids is assumed. The effect of injection source geometry is discussed, as well as the role of gravity and capillarity. The authors analyse the conditions, in terms of injection flow rate, grout viscosity, soil intrinsic permeability and retention curve, under which the analytical solutions provide reliable results. The numerical results have been compared with the simplified analytical solution herein derived for a one-dimensional spherical geometry, in terms of the 'characteristic curves' for the system: the relationship between injection pressure/grout front advancement and injection time.

Grouting is a technique used to improve the engineering properties of soils and rocks. In this paper two types of micro-cements have been tested: a fast-reacting cement, composed by pure clinker (MasterRoc MP 650) and a slow-reacting cement with 80% slag (MasterRoc MP 680). Injection tests were performed in a column filled with the Hostun sand at a void ratio of 0.7 at a maximum injection pressure of 400 kPa. After curing the samples, at a relative humidity of 98%, a mechanical study was performed: unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests, Brazilian tests, consolidated-undrained triaxial tests at three different confining pressures. A comparison between samples taken from the upper and lower part of the injected column (670 mm length, 50 mm internal diameter) was performed. Results (both for upper and lower position in the column) are comparable in terms of strength. Mechanical tests showed that both friction angle and cohesion values for the 80% slag cement is higher than for the pure clinker cement. Tests are of valuable interest for both designers and contractors involved in the ground improvement field.

Permeation grouting, i.e. injections at low pressure, of microfine cements is frequently adopted in tunnelling and underground structures to either increase the mechanical properties or reduce the hydraulic conductivity of soils. From an applicative point of view, the time dependent permeation process, crucial to assess the spatial contour of the final content of the injected microfine cement, is highly affected not only by operational parameters, geometry of injection sources and particulate phase nature of the grout under exam, but also by its time-dependent rheological properties. This latter aspect is not deeply investigated in literature, especially in the ranges of shear rates, times and water-cement ratios commonly adopted during permeation grouting treatments. To this aim, in this paper, a comprehensive investigation has been performed, combining laboratory experiments with theoretical approaches. The time-dependent rheological properties of microfine cements characterized by different water-cement ratios have been first quantified by means of rheometric tests and described with a Bingham’s law. The microfine cement permeation in granular media has then been experimentally investigated and so the employment of a Darcy’s law modified to incorporate the temporal evolution of Bingha-mian grout rheologies has been validated for microfine cement flows.

Tree fall events are acknowledged as important causes of damage in urbanized areas and tree risk assessment is now part of general risk management analyses. Preserving arboreal heritage also implies biomass and biodiversity conservation, reduction of superficial soil erosion, improving the stability of potentially unstable slopes. In this context, tree risk assessment techniques used by professional agronomists may benefit of a deeper mechanical understanding of the soil-root interaction mechanisms controlling tree stability. From a Geotechnical point of view, the tree root plate is conceptually assimilated to the foundation of a slender structure subject to eccentric loads. In the paper results of static pulling tests and wind dynamic monitoring on two liquidambar trees are described; estimations of their uprooting safety factor are then derived according to the currently available techniques used in the agronomic field. The pull tests were performed using an advanced loading-unloading scheme, along two orthogonal directions. The preliminary interpretation shows that the system is characterized by a marked non-linear and irreversible behaviour, even at low loading levels as usually tested in agronomic practice. The results suggest that dynamic tree stability testing could be a valuable tool for stability assessment, albeit the interpretation of the results requires expertise in the dynamic behaviour of trees.

Standard procedures for stability assessment of unstable trees are based, among other, on the interpretation of on-site, non-destructive static pulling tests. To this goal, a simple phenomenological equation is usually adopted in professional agronomic practice, and an estimation of the ultimate toppling resistance is extrapolated by fitting the test data, without taking root geometrical parameters and soil mechanical properties into account. From a geotechnical point of view, however, the root plate of a tree plays the role of a “living foundation”, and its behaviour under toppling actions (like those produced by intense wind gusts) conceptually corresponds to the mechanical response of shallow foundations under rocking loads. In the paper, several static pulling tests on real-scale trees (some of them have been run until the complete collapse, after some unloading–reloading cycles) and some tests taken from the literature are considered in order to investigate the toppling behaviour. A possible new interpretative equation is proposed and critically compared with the existing one against experimental results. The new equation allows for a mechanically meaningful description of the toppling curve of the tree and accounts for strength and deformability issues. It allows to introduce innovative “performance-based” approaches, which are commonly neglected by practitioners and professional agronomists in this field. Nevertheless, the experimental results show that tree toppling is a complex phenomenon, and capturing its failure condition requires more advanced multi-mechanism models and second-order effects to be accounted for. From a practical point of view, the proposed equation, employed within the same standard interpretative procedure currently adopted in practice for pulling tests, seems to provide conservative estimations of “operational” values of the ultimate toppling resistance, and in perspective, it could be used to significantly optimize—when needed—the des

The failure of geo-structures such as underground caves and vertical cliffs in soft rocks are frequent hazards that may cause damage to infrastructure and people when developing in inhabited centres. Canosa di Puglia, is a city located in southern Italy, characterised by hundreds of artificial cavities with high cultural value excavated in a soft Calcarenite. Because of chemical weathering, water infiltration and the increase of the in-service loads, the risk of sinkhole formation is high. The rapid evolution of the failure mechanism is in fact detrimental as it does not give any warning signs that may be used to mobilise countermeasures. The most common mitigation technique used in this context is cavity filling. On top of being expensive, such approach is highly environmentally unfriendly as the volumes of cement required and consequent CO2 released are large. Since most of these cavities are of high cultural value alternative mitigation measures preserving their originality is required. This paper proposes a new reinforcement method developed to answer to this need. Through an experimental campaign it is shown that by using Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymers (GFRP) bars combined with thixotropic materials a greater efficiency can be guaranteed with respect to the usual filling methods or to the use of steel bars. The paper discusses in detail the development and choice of the most efficient and performing materials by means of in situ pull tests on anchors installed in a cavity located near the city centre of Canosa di Puglia.

During Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) excavation in hard rock, it is possible to encounter at the excavation zone, weak areas composed by weathered rocks, which need to be improved. In this paper, a laboratory study about a grouted cataclasite fragmented rock and its mechanical behavior is reported. Two non-conventional binders, that is, a colloidal silica with 15% SiO2content and very low viscosity and a two-component low-viscosity hydrophilic acrylic resin (both about 3 mPas) were tested in laboratory to evaluate their performance improving the cataclasite. Permeation tests in a column of 0.5 m height and 0.05 m diameter were performed. The cataclasite was placed loose in the column, with a porosity n = 0.6 and the two products were injected with a pressure between 3.5 and 4 bars. After that, multi-stage triaxial CU on single samples for each grouted product with 100 mm height and 50 mm diameter. Strain rate of 0.3 mm/min was applied. Results show that the binders are valid products to improve the mechanical properties of cataclasite.

Soft rock geostructures composed of carbonate rocks (such as chalk and calcarenites) and volcanic (tuff), due their weak bonds, suffer much more than other rocks the weathering effect causing structural instability. Because of the carbonate rich geology, geohazards such as sinkhole and cliff instabilities are a real threat for inland and coastlines regions. The areas affected by such threat often coincide with cultural heritage sites because of their evocative landscape and they represent important nation landmarks. The Apulian region (SE Italy) is characterized by many anthropic underground cavities in calcarenite. In the last decade the number of sinkholes in correspondence of such caves as dramatically increased because of hydro-chemo-mechanical weathering mechanisms induced by long term exposure to water, increased lithostatic loads, absence of ventilation or approximate excavation geometries. In this work an experimental study demonstrating an approach to stop and reverse the micromechanical weathering mechanism is proposed. A rock consolidation intervention using sustainable materials, with low environmental impact and preserving the beauty of the site is proposed. After the characterization of untreated rocks, a set of transparent chemical consolidants (nanosilicates and impregnating resins) is explored experimentally. It is shown how the UCS strength of treated samples can be increased up to 50%. To stabilise fractured rock masses, a set of laboratory pull-out tests of fiberglass anchors in calcarenite is also performed. The obtained show that GFRP anchors are an interesting alternative to steel when stabilizing high historical-aesthetic value areas.

The paper focuses on the geomorphological processes and potential geo-hazards affecting the cultural heritage rock-cut sites of AlUla region. Its best-known site is Hegra, with more than 110 monumental tombs with elaborated façades carved directly into the sandstone rock. In addition, AlUla hosts a number of fascinating historical and archaeological sites such as its Old Town, surrounded by an ancient oasis, and Dadan, the capital of the Dadan and Lihyan kingdoms. The study is mainly aimed at investigating the local rock material, evaluating characteristics of rock masses, understanding rock degradation processes and characterizing the potential impact of slope instabilities on the conservation of cultural heritage.

Urban growth needs large cities, and the current emphasis on landscape preservation makes using underground spaces an opportunity and a significant necessity. However, underground construction techniques significantly impact the sustainability of the built environment, including infrastructure systems and their entire supply chains. Nowadays, there is a shortage of quantitative methodologies to assess and measure the sustainability of construction and underground building processes towards the three sustainable pillars, i.e. environmental, social, and economic. Thus, this study aims to cover this gap by explaining how to appropriately incorporate sustainability goals into geotechnical projects to address measure-driven strategies and eco-design-based solutions. This study illustrates a novel methodology based on the Life Cycle Thinking approach, with an emphasis on geotechnical ground improvement techniques. The proposed method incorporates the concept of the EU Taxonomy, following the EU Green Deal, with the Envision framework to guide decision-makers toward a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable infrastructure design. The proposed method will incorporate a cradle-to-site Life Cycle Assessment perspective, improving the quantitative estimation of the environmental performance of construction processes and providing guidelines to systematically assess the sustainability of geotechnical infrastructures.

Permeation grouting treatments can be considered a well-established ground improvement strategy in urban built environments, where an accurate fine-tuning of its components can lead to tailored and efficient interventions. However, how to improve its overall environmental impact remains an open question. Using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach emphasizing the construction phase, this research highlights the leverages that can improve the environmental performance of this geotechnical construction process. The alternative approaches in terms of materials and processes are identified, quantified, and compared using the standard output of the LCA analysis and represent the ideal input for the three-phased sustainability assessment method for geotechnical infrastructure developed by the authors.

The stability analysis of underground mine systems with complex 3D geometry is still a challenging task, especially when abandoned mines are planned for new uses with public access, that imply more restrictive safety requirements. This inherently multi-scale problem requires both the evaluation of the global mine stability and the assessment of local deformation and failure mechanisms of individual pillars or roof sectors in a robust 3D modeling framework. We integrated 3D remote survey techniques and FEM 3D modeling to perform a comprehensive stability analysis of an abandoned fluorite mine system in the central Southern Alps (Italy), including ten levels excavated in bedded limestones. We reconstructed the 3D geometry of three levels undergoing a reuse plan, combining a dynamic LiDAR system and close-range photogrammetry. We used point clouds in a workflow to generate solids, excavate the 3D analysis domain and generate a FEM 3D mesh for numerical modeling. We performed a series of continuum-based FEM 3D simulations of mine excavation and rock mass strength degradation. Our results allowed assessing the global stability of the abandoned mine and identifying critically stressed roof sectors and pillars to prioritize the local-scale analysis, remediation and monitoring of critical spots.

This paper presents a laboratory experiment where electrical resistivity tomographies (ERTs), joined to surface monitoring with Laser Scanner, were acquired in time-lapse on a sandbox, subjected to impulsive shear strain. The experiment is an attempt to monitoring the different stages characterizing the hydro-geophysical status of a soil prone to liquefaction. During the experiment, strong 2D variations of resistivities, up to ±35%, were detected with small settlements measured at the surface. Resistivities variations are interpreted as condensation and water flow processes preparing the liquefaction of sand. This might be due to the impulsive shear strain, which caused liquefaction at the micro-scale, detectable with the time variation of resistivities, without liquefying the whole system. The results indicate that the combined approach using time-lapse ERTs and low energy seismic sources is suitable to follow the preparedness of soil to liquefaction by monitoring its hydro-geophysical status. This is promising to set up a geophysical methodology in the full-scale field to support geotechnical investigations in areas characterized by liquefaction hazard.

This study assesses the static stability of the artificial Sabereebi Cave Monastery southeast of Georgia's capital, Tbilisi. The cliff into which these Georgian-Orthodox caverns, chapels, and churches were carved consists of a five-layered sequence of weak sedimentary rock—all of which bear a considerable failure potential and, consequently, pose the challenge of preservation to geologists, engineers, and archaeologists. In the first part of this study, we present a strategy to process point cloud data from drone photogrammetry as well as from laser scanners acquired in- and outside the caves into high-resolution CAD objects that can be used for numerical modeling ranging from macro- to micro-scale. In the second part, we explore four distinct series of static elasto-plastic finite element stability models featuring different levels of detail, each of which focuses on specific geomechanical scenarios such as classic landsliding due to overburden, deformation of architectural features as a result of stress concentration, material response to weathering, and pillar failure due to vertical load. With this bipartite approach, the study serves as a comprehensive 3D stability assessment of the Sabereebi Cave Monastery on the one hand; on the other hand, the established procedure should serve as a pilot scheme, which could be adapted to different sites in the future combining non-invasive and relatively cost-efficient assessment methods, data processing and hazard estimation.

Milan has always been considered a city of water due to the presence of a network of natural and man-made canals, lying on one of the most important Italian aquifer system which has been heavily exploited for public and industrial supply, but the future use of this resource still has to be decided. The rate of abstraction decreased of more than 30% since the 1970 (3.5 x108 m3/year on 1975 to about 2.3 x108 m3/year on 2016), with the number of inhabitants, the diminished per capita consumption and the decommissioning of industrial activities. This resulted in a groundwater rebound causing flooding of underground structures. Climate change scenarios project that urban regions will be exposed to extremes of precipitation and temperature, increased storm frequency and intensity. In recent thinking, portfolios of “blue-green” technologies and infrastructure (connected network of multifunctional, predominately unbuilt, space that supports both ecological and social activities and processes) combined with conventional “grey” infrastructure have been identified as best practices for achieving greater urban sustainability and resilience. In this context, a steady-state groundwater flow model was calibrated on a monitoring dataset and used to evaluate the impact of a blue-green infrastructure at the urban scale. The development of a continuous network of wells withdrawing water from the unconfined aquifer are placed along a ring linking the dismissed rail yard areas which will undergo significant urban developments in the next years. Various scenarios were simulated in order to evaluate the multiple functions of such system:(i) blue-green infrastructure ...

Compound mesh panels are structures in which two different nets geometries are employed: a main mesh that provides the bearing capacity and a weaker mesh with a thin sieve size to catch smaller blocks that can pass through otherwise. Typically, only the effect of the main mesh is investigated, and the weaker mesh is considered to provide negligible structural resistance. In this paper, after a calibration procedure, numerical simulations of quasi-static punch tests and a dynamic block impact on a composite double-twist and strand rope mesh are performed. The results show that, under dynamic conditions, the presence of the finer mesh lowers the peak force acting on the main mesh. This effect is not found under quasi-static conditions and has important repercussions on the overall structural resistance as the energy dissipation mechanism reduces the stress on the mesh fence posts.

The goal of this paper is to show how a recently developed advanced chemo-hydro-mechanical (CHM)-coupled constitutive and numerical model for soft rocks can be applied to predict the temporal evolution of settlement damage to buildings on cavities subject to weathering. In particular, a Building Damage Index (BDI) and its evolution with time is proposed. The definition of the BDI is inspired by the work of Boscardin and Cording (J Geotech Eng 115:1–21, 1989) and uses the surface differential settlements obtained by finite element (FE) analyses to assess how far a building is from a non-acceptable service condition. By modelling the reactive transport of chemical species in 3D and using a coupled CHM constitutive and numerical model, it is possible to simulate weathering scenarios and monitor the temporal evolution of surface settlements making the BDI time dependent. This approach is applied to evaluate the damage evolution of two buildings lying on two anthropic caves in a calcarenite deposit belonging to the Calcarenite di Gravina Formation. Standard and advanced experimental tests are performed on the in situ material, and the results are used to calibrate the constitutive model. The soundness of both constitutive relationship and reactive transport solver is subsequently tested by simulating two laboratory-scale boundary value experiments. The first is a model footing test on dry and wet calcarenite, while the second is a small-scale pillar that, after the saturation-induced short-term water weakening, fails due to a long-term dissolution weathering process. Finally, both 2D and 3D coupled FE analyses simulating different weathering scenarios and corresponding settlements affecting the buildings above the considered cavities are presented. Particular attention is placed on assessing the BDI and its temporal evolution.

Soft highly porous carbonate rocks, such as calcarenites, and soluble sulphate rocks, such as gypsum, are very common in the Mediterranean region and, due to their microstructure and chemical composition, are prone to water induced weathering mechanisms. Cliffs, underground cavities and other morphological features in such formations are hence affected by intense erosion phenomena and weathering processes responsible for unexpected collapses and sinkholes. Just considering the Apulian region (Italy), 150 sinkholes have been recorded since 1925, with increasing frequency since 2000 (Fiore et al., 2018). The geosystem's failure is often the short- or long-term result of a very complex hydro-chemo-mechanical process taking place at the micro-scale which can be detected and analysed by means of field and laboratory experimental test campaigns. Therefore, stability problems are often related to changes of the mechanical properties of the rock forming the cave caused by environmental weathering processes, despite the external boundary conditions are not changing with time. The paper deals with the assessment of hazard associated with the stability of abandoned underground caves, which is nowadays frequently required for land and urban planning activities. A methodological approach for hazard assessment based on a step-by-step procedure is proposed. This includes in-situ surveys, laboratory experimental studies, theoretical analyses and finally numerical investigations. The approach derives from the experience developed from several case studies analysed by the authors. In this work, two of these are presented. The first one concerns the stability of an anthropic cavity in a calcarenite formation which is affected by a water induced short-term and long-term debonding processes. The second one regards the stability of a three-level abandoned gypsum mine, the lowest level being partially flooded by water. The methodological procedure aims to evaluate the factors controlling

In spite of the increasing diffusion of tunnel boring machines, conventional tunnelling is still preferred for economic reasons in case of short tunnels, unconventional cross sections or irregular tunnel trajectories. In conventional tunnelling, the mechanical response of the tunnel front is a main concern and, when tunnels are excavated in cohesive soils, this is dominated by the time factor, related to geometry, to the mean excavation rate and to the hydro-mechanical properties of the materials involved. This is particularly evident during excavation standstill: front displacements progressively increase with time and, in many cases, the system response under long-term conditions becomes unstable. In conventional tunnelling, a common technique employed to improve the system response (under both short- and long-term conditions) is the installation of fibreglass tubes within the advance core. In this paper, the mechanical response of both unreinforced and reinforced deep tunnel fronts in cohesive soils is experimentally analysed. In particular, the results of a series of 1 g small-scale tests, taking into account both the influence of the excavation rate (the unloading time) on the system response and the evolution with time of the tunnel face displacements, induced by a rapid reduction in the horizontal stress applied on the tunnel face, are reported.

Chalks are highly porous rocks formed of mainly carbonate grains bonded together by calcite bridges. From a microstructural point of view they are very similar to calcarenites. The above characteristics make them prone to water induced weathering, frequently featuring large caverns and inland natural underground cavities. This study is aimed to determine the main physical processes at the base of the short - and long-term weakening experienced by these rocks when interacting with water. We present the results of microscale experimental investigations performed on calcarenites from different sites in Southern Italy. SEM, thin sections, X-ray CT observations and related analyses are used for both the interpretation - definition of the structure changes and the identification - quantification of the degradation mechanisms. Two distinct types of bonding could be identified within the rock: depositional bonds and diagenetic bonds. The diverse mechanisms linked to these two types of bonding explain both the observed fast decrease in rock strength when water fills the pores (shortterm effect of water), identified with a short-term debonding (STD), and a long-term weakening of the material, when the latter is persistently kept in water saturated conditions (long-term effect of water), identified with a long-term debonding (LTD). To highlight the microhydro-chemo mechanical processes of formation and annihilation of the depositional bonds and their role in the evolution of the mechanical strength of the material, mechanical tests on samples prepared by drying partially saturated calcarenite powder, or a mix of glass ballotini and calcarenite powder were conducted. Finally the use of transparent chemical consolidants as a more sustainable alternative to grouting is explored experimentally.

Interaction diagrams in the generalized 3D loading space of vertical (V), horizontal (H) and moment (M) actions constitute the basis of the design of foundation structures in case of complex loads combinations. The mechanical response of such systems is frequently interpreted in terms of the ‘macroelement’ theory, where a generalized incremental constitutive relationship is introduced, linking the displacements and rotations of the foundation (playing the role of generalized strains) to the histories of applied loading components (i.e. the generalized stresses). In this paper an attempt to extend a classical macroelement framework, to the case of root-soil interaction presented. The model is calibrated on small scale experimental data on 3D printed plastic root systems, subject to combined V-H-M loads, and a parametric analysis on the main governing parameters is discussed. The comparison between numerical and experimental data suggests that the macroelement approach could be an efficient and simple analytical tool for describing the whole moment-rotation curve, overcoming the main simplifying hypotheses currently employed in arboriculture practice.

1 Introduction In order to consider the presence of cracks in an abandoned gypsum pillar in numerical simulations, a hybrid method FEM/DEM, which allows the transition from continuum to discontinuum, was assumed. By means of a specific numerical code (ELFEN), this approach has been calibrated involving both physical quantities introduced by fracture mechanics and numerical aspects in order to support this hybrid method. Furthermore, the approaches FEM and FEM/DEM have been compared, showing advantages and disadvantages through experimental tests carried out to characterize geomechanical response of the pillar. The interaction domain has been calculated thanks to the implementation of both methods. The meaning of determining this domain is related to the evaluation of failure limit when a coupled system of loads (normal and tangential force and momentum) is acting on pillars. An application to a case study of an abandoned gypsum mine interacting with building in San Lazzaro di Savena (Bologna) is shown. 2 Abandoned Gypsum Mine – specific pillar (P7) chosen The choice of this pillar is related to its complex and redundant joints’ system, its reduced section and its location. In fact, it was possible to obtain its topography by TLS to furnish a detailed geometrical for the simulation. In the following figure the mine system and the selected pillar is shown. 3 Laboratory tests (UCS, BT, Triax) A series of laboratory tests permitted to obtain failure parameters to be inserted both in constitutive model for the continuum approach (FEM) than for the crack propagation model for the discontinuum approach (FEM/DEM). 4 A numerical comparison between the two approaches A coupled system of loads acting on pillar P7 has been simulated. In particular, 3D numerical simulations have been run to calculate an interaction domain represented by normal and tangential force and momentum. Also for the 2D FEM/DEM approach an interaction domain has been built thanks to a simplified solution

Fault damage zones (DZ) are fractured volumes of rock that surround the fault core(s), and their structure can have an important impact both on fault mechanics and hydraulic properties (with impact on groundwater flow, ore-deposits, hydrocarbon reservoirs, nuclear waste disposal, etc.). It is generally accepted that DZ width is related with fault displacement. However, published data on DZ thickness in faulted carbonates show a two-order-of-magnitude scatter, suggesting that this parameter is controlled also by other factors. Here we present results obtained on normal faults in platform carbonates of the Island of Gozo (Malta). Two stratigraphic units with different facies and mechanical properties - grain-dominated vs. micrite-dominated - are characterized by completely different DZ widths along the same fault (80-100 m displacement; Martinelli et al., 2017, AAPG conference, London). More competent grain-dominated carbonates show DZ thickness of several hundreds of meters, while fracturing in the less competent micrite-dominated rocks is developed only very close to the fault core, with a DZ width of a few tens of meters. In order to explain this counterintuitive facies-controlled behavior, we performed petrophysical (porosity, density, permeability) and geotechnical (uniaxial, Brazilian, triaxial tests) analyses to characterize the mechanical stratigraphy and be able to develop a numerical modelling study. This highlights the heterogeneous stress distribution in a multilayer with variable elastic and plastic parameters subject to horizontal extension. Stress is concentrated in the stiffer layers (stress channeling), and these can yield before the more compliant ones even if they are stronger. Also the width of the yielding zone is increased in the stiffer layers, leading to a wider DZ.

The Ligurian coast between Cinque Terre and Portovenere is a UNESCO cultural landscape site. Human settlement in this region over the past millennium have been developed by shaping a steep, uneven terrain, which is highly prone to landsliding. Rockfalls, shallow landslides, debris flows and deep-seated landslides have seriously affected the site during the last centuries, with serious damages and injuries to population. This site has been selected as a case study for the PROTHEGO (PROTection of European Cultural HEritage from GeO-hazards) research project. Two main processes have been analysed within the project: rockfalls along the well-known Via dell’Amore (Lover’s Lane), a 500 m long portion of the Cinque Terre coastal path between Manarola and Riomaggiore; and a deep-seated rockslide at Punta Persico, south of Campiglia. Since its construction in the 1920’s, the Via dell’Amore played an important role in the local history and more recently as a popular hotspot for tourists visiting the region. The walkway has been closed since 2012 when a rockfall severely injured 4 tourists on the path causing the local authorities to close the walkway since this event. Hazard and risk assessment along the closed portion of the path have been performed. Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) was used to image the inaccessible rock faces and slopes, in order to characterize the discontinuities and perform kinematic feasibility analyses. The resulting susceptibility values were used, along with other inputs (i.e. DEM, block sizes, coefficients of restitution), to run rockfall simulations by 3D numerical modelling software Hy-Stone. The simulation results were used to attain a hazard zonation along the walkway. The individual risk of being killed by a rockfall while on the path on any given day is about one in every 200.000 people. The Punta Persico deep-seated landslide involves many houses inside the landslide, which can be subdivided in several sectors with different behavior. The la