The influence of a heavy storm on a slope subject to rockfall phenomena: the Bazena case study

The evolution of rockfall phenomena depends on both rock mass and slope characteristics: variations in cover, morphology or vegetation induced by intense weather events can have huge consequences. Investigating these effects is required to assess the effectiveness of existing protection structures. This study focuses on the Bazena case (Brescia, Italy), a slope subject to rockfall phenomena, crossed by a provincial road connecting two valleys. Originally the slope was covered by a coniferous forest, which was almost completely destroyed by an extremely intense storm in 2018. In this context, the ASFORESEE model was applied to understand the value of the protection provided by the forest, over a period of 25 years. The output of ASFORESEE and other evaluations here proposed show that the forest played an active role in protecting the provincial road against rockfall phenomena. This work aims to highlight the potentiality of combining nature-based solutions and flexible barriers.