Geostructural survey and stability analysis of the calcareous cliff of Vieste (Southern Italy)

Some years ago several large collapses of the fractured calcareous rocks in the Vieste cliff occurred. Due to both the structural condition of the rock mass and the tectonic alignment of this part of south east Italy, the bedding is variable. Where the cliff is oriented NE (Iudeca street) the bedding planes are almost dipslope with an inclination lower than the slope angle, whereas in the Punta San Francesco they are counterslope. The intersection of the joints results in the formation of prismatic blocks of various sizes, which are frequently in a condition of incipient fall. A combined geological and structural survey of the cliff was undertaken and distinct element analyses performed to evaluate the evolution of the stress-strain behaviour of the cliff.