This paper presents a novel, cost-effective method for a rapid and quantitative characterization of discontinuities in fractured rock cliffs using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-derived Digital Outcrop Models (DOMs). The proposed workflow combines manual extraction of discontinuity data from the DOM with a kinematic analysis using an automated algorithm (ROKA), which upgrades and renews the traditional Markland's test. The case study, a designed railway tunnel portal in NW Italy (Finale Ligure) demonstrates the advantages and limitations of this approach compared to current methods. Manual mapping is compared with (semi-)automatic extraction of discontinuity data from the DOM and validated with field-based scan lines. The results show that in complex geological settings, manual mapping provides more statistically robust and geologically reliable measurements of discontinuity orientation, validated by the user's expertise. Traditional stereographic approaches in kinematic analysis are limited in characterizing spatially variable slopes and discontinuity networks, providing only generic estimations of unstable slope surfaces and discontinuity intersections. This limitation is overcome by new algorithms that incorporate 3D spatial relationships of both the discontinuity network and the rock slope, resulting in a more accurate and site-specific kinematic characterization of the rock cliff, emphasized by 3D visualizations of the critical planes and potential rock failure volumes. The new approach significantly impacts the time, effort, and cost of the engineering projects, allowing to quantitatively define the potential unstable areas with a fast analysis. The Authors stress the importance of integrating digital workflows with comprehensive field-based characterizations of the local litho-stratigraphic and structural setting to effectively utilize large datasets and partially automated procedures.

中文翻译：

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基于无人机数字露头模型的岩石边坡运动学分析的创新、开源和定量方法的评估：铁路隧道入口的案例研究（意大利菲纳莱利古雷）


本文提出了一种新颖、经济高效的方法，可使用无人机衍生的数字露头模型 (DOM) 快速定量地表征裂隙岩石悬崖的不连续性。所提出的工作流程将手动从 DOM 中提取不连续性数据与使用自动算法 (ROKA) 的运动学分析相结合，升级和更新了传统的 Markland 测试。该案例研究是意大利西北部（菲纳莱利古雷）设计的铁路隧道入口，展示了该方法与现有方法相比的优点和局限性。将手动映射与从 DOM 中（半）自动提取不连续性数据进行比较，并使用基于场的扫描线进行验证。结果表明，在复杂的地质环境中，手动测绘可提供统计上更稳健、地质上更可靠的不连续性方向测量，并由用户的专业知识进行验证。运动学分析中的传统立体测量方法在表征空间可变坡度和不连续性网络方面受到限制，仅提供不稳定坡面和不连续性交叉点的一般估计。新算法克服了这一限制，该算法结合了不连续性网络和岩石坡度的 3D 空间关系，从而对岩石悬崖进行更准确和特定地点的运动学表征，并通过关键平面和潜在岩石破坏的 3D 可视化来强调卷。新方法显着影响了工程项目的时间、精力和成本，允许通过快速分析定量定义潜在的不稳定区域。 作者强调了将数字工作流程与当地岩石地层和结构设置的综合现场表征相结合的重要性，以有效利用大型数据集和部分自动化程序。