A Python-based optimization method to define the trajectory of rockfalls: a case study of Malshej Ghat, India

Rockfalls have a tremendous effect on development plans in mountainous regions. Both civil structures and lives are at risk from rockfalls. Frequent failure, rather than the size of a rockfall, is the key factor in including rockfalls to the class of common natural hazards in hilly areas. The Western Ghats region of India is vulnerable to rockfall due to its geology and geography. Kinematic analysis has suggested the possible failure pattern of the slopes by considering structural mapped data. Planar failure, as well as toppling failure, are the possibility for structurally controlled slopes for the region. Identification of the most appropriate model and defining the failure mechanism is one of the most challenging steps in protection planning for rockfalls. To develop a precise real-field model, the Python-Simulated Rockfall Model (PSRM) is demonstrated for consideration of all the parameters, including the advantages of assigning different sizes and shapes of boulders. The proposed model and the existing RocFall software have been comprehensively compared to validate the results. The bounce height, run-out distance and the falling velocity obtained from the PSRM are more realistic according to the real-field scenario. The PSRM can provide various output data, which are necessary for disaster-management planning for rockfalls. Unlike the RocFall simulation, the PSRM neither overestimated nor underestimated the value. The flexibility of estimating different parameters at each step makes the PSRM more applicable in rockfall analysis.