habitat rupestre.pdf - Archeomedia

S. Del Prete, M. Parise
bution after the excavation, to tectonic vicissitude that involved
the formation and to tensional releases in correspondence of
sub-vertical cliffs. (Fig. 19).
The discontinuities in a rock mass work as sites of stress concentration
and activate a progressive long term reduction of the
material resistance (Hall et al., 2004).
The knowledge of the effective stability conditions of a cavity
(for instance, the study of the fi ssured vaults) and of possible
causes of collapse is necessary for a correct evaluation of the
risks in subterranean failures (Hall et al., 2004). The study on
stability conditions is indispensable to set the priorities to plan
consolidating works, while the study of the possible causes of
collapse help to choose the most suitable techniques for the
monitoring of the failures.
Conclusions
The infl uences of geological and geomorphological features
on the realization of subterranean works are a complex and
wide topic. Generally, the roles of the various factors can be
examined singularly, but they overlap and act together in combinations
that depend also on environmental factors (geography
and climate) and on time.
For instance, mechanical erosion of running waters and thermal
fractures contribute to the remodelling of the section in a
draining gallery. Techniques of subterranean excavation are
conditioned by geomechanical and/or hydrogeological aspects,
which affect times and future usability of the works.
Underground water infl uences the realization and the use of
a subterranean structure. A settlement or a warehouse can be
used only if they were realized in well draining rocks, which
grant for suitable humidity levels. An economical interest
can suggest the drainage of a great quantity of water in mine
works or in the construction of an important road.
The overlapping endogenous (resurfacing of fl uids at high
temperatures) and structural (such as draining or fi lled tectonic
structures) factors can complicate the realization of underground
works, with repercussions on times of realization
and costs.
It is generally evident that the study of geological aspects supplies
for important indications about the socio-economic aspects
that brought populations and cultures to realize and use
subterranean structures.
Acknowledgment
The authors wish to thank Roberto Bixio for his critical review,
the ideas and the constructive confrontation during the
writing up of this text, and for the wide variety of provided
images. They also wish to thank Prof. Maifredi from the University
of Genova and all of the authors of the pictures, for
sharing their repertoire.
* Excerpt from Opera Ipogea, n° 2/2007, journal of the Commissione
Nazionale Cavità Artifi ciali della Società Speleologica
Italiana - Bologna
Fig. 16 Madonna della Scala (Massafra, Taranto): the rock failures on the
right cliff of the ravine has damaged the caves (photo: M. Parise).
Fig. 17 Internal view of a trachyte mine (Del Prete, 2004) at the foot of
Camaldoli hill (Napoli): huge rocks detached from the vault and from the
pillars (photo: S. Del Prete). The pillars are evidently compressed by the
static solicitations of the loads.
Fig. 18 Examples of underground cavities which have generated sinkhole
phenomena (Cutrofi ano, top, and Lusciano, bottom) causing, sometimes, serious
damage to the overlying rural and urban settings (Cutrofi ano photos:
M. Parise; Lusciano photos: B. Bocchino, S. Del Prete).
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