All posts by François Noël

7th Canadian Geohazard Conference

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Part of the Risk Analysis Group participated to the 7th Canadian Geohazard Conference from the Canadian Geotechnical Society (CGS) in Canmore, Canada, on 3 to 6 June 2018. It was a great opportunity to exchange about many topics related to natural hazards, geotechnics and rockfalls.  The group presented four contributions whose titles are below:

2 Orals

  • Real-size rockfall experiment: How different rockfall simulation impact models perform when confronted with reality? Noël F., Wyser E., Jaboyedoff, Derron M.-H., Cloutier C., Turmel D. and Locat J.
  • Using Average Velocities Of Deep-Seated Landslides To Develop Intensity-Frequency Scenarios. Jaboyedoff M., Aye Z.A., & Derron M.-H., Artigue V. and Gerber C.

2 Posters

  • Automated decision sight distance evaluation based on airborne topographical data for risk management along linear infrastructures. Cloutier C., Locat J., Noël F. and Jaboyedoff M.
  • Comparison between three rock slope hazard assessment methodologies based on the Åknes case study from Norway. Oppikofer T., Hermanns R.L., Jaboyedoff M., Derron M.-H., Brideau M.-A., Jakob M., Sturzenegger M.

The conference also included a very interesting field visit where we did learn about the flooding that happened in Canmore in 2013 and how the local institutions did respond them. The trip continued with the visit of local sites with mitigation measures and concluded with a dinner on the Sulphur Mountain where we could enjoy a gorgeous view on the Rockies near Banff while exchanging with the other participants.

Fieldwork in the Yosemite Valley during October 2016

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Antoine Guérin, François Noël and Emmanuel Wyser of the Risk Analysis Group (UNIL) went to Yosemite Valley from the October 6th to October 20th, 2016. They were there to pursue the yearly terrestrial LiDAR (TLS) acquisition of 3D model of most major cliffs (eg. El Capitan, Royal Arches, Three Brothers, Cathedral Rocks, Half Dome, etc.). This project was initiated by the University of Lausanne and financed by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). The park’s geologist Dr. Greg Stock, of the National Park Service (NPS), and Dr. Brian Collins from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collaborate to the project.

The 63 TLS acquisitions were performed during about two weeks, when there was no rain or fog. Pictures of the cliffs were taken using a telephoto lens and a robotic camera mount to construct detailed gigapan mosaic pictures. The scree slope at the foot of Rhombus Wall was also characterized.