Stability analysis of sea-cliffs coupling stress strain and hydrodynamic modelling: preliminary results from Punta Eolo case study (Ventotene, Italy)

This research represents a preliminary attempt to couple hydrodynamic modelling of sea-related actions with stability analysis managed through a limit-equilibrium and stress-strain approaches to account for the action of sea waves on a sea cliff. The quantitative analysis revealed the possibility that instability conditions will be reached for specific rock blocks if the hydrostatic backpressure due to the rock cracks filling is combined with a pseudo-static force, genetically related to the elastic rebound caused by the sea wave slams. This condition is the most recurrent action at studied cliff of Punta Eolo in Ventotene (Italy). Finally, the project of the ongoing installation of a tailor-designed monitoring system is presented. The system will be used to characterize the physical nature of the sea-related preparatory and triggering factors on the cliff, and to examine the deformative response of the cliff itself under the action of periodic thermal and hydrodynamic stressors.