Structural stability assessment of the Arenal Cavern, Cuchillo Curá protected natural area, Neuquén
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59069/24225703ee010Keywords:
cave susceptibility, expansive clays, GCI, Q IndexAbstract
The ANPCC (Cuchillo Curá protected natural area) currently contains the most extensive cave system in Argentina, with more than 5 kilometers extension represented by Arenal, The ANPCC (Cuchillo Curá protected natural area) currently contains the most extensive cave system in Argentina, with more than 5 kilometers extension represented by Arenal, Templo, Gendarme and Cabritos caverns.
The structural stability of these are undeveloped and the motivation of this work is to contribute with studies to the subject. In order to achieve this particular aim, two specific susceptibility analysis methodologies in cave systems were used, applying both in caves of karstic or volcanic origin, developed in recent years: The Geotechnical Cave Index (Brandi et al., 2020) and the Q Index. adapted by Jordá-Bordehore (2017). Both classifications were applied to study a particular sector of the Arenal cave, leaving the rest of the cave system for future studies as required by the Ministry of Cultures of the province of Neuquén. The resulting zonification of the section studied was characterized based on these classifications, acquiring susceptibility to structural instability maps. Although each of the two classifications has been designed independently, the application of both showed us to compare their results and gain experience in the use of each of them, which will be a great contribution to decide how to continue the stability evaluation of the rest of the Cuchillo Curá Cave System.
Based on the infield observations and the geotechnical studies carried out, it was determined that the Arenal cavern is contained in a poor to good (RMR) rock mass quality, affected by systematic discontinuities and, particularly, a clayey level that, due to its expansive, geometric and low resistance characteristics, it is considered as the most determining factor that influences its instability.
of these are undeveloped and the motivation of this work is to contribute with studies to the subject. In order to achieve this particular aim, two specific susceptibility analysis methodologies in cave systems were used, applying both in caves of karstic or volcanic origin, developed in recent years: The Geotechnical Cave Index (Brandi et al., 2020) and the Q Index. adapted by Jordá-Bordehore (2017). Both classifications were applied to study a particular sector of the Arenal cave, leaving the rest of the cave system for future studies as required by the Ministry of Cultures of the province of Neuquén. The resulting zonification of the section studied was characterized based on these classifications, acquiring susceptibility to structural instability maps. Although each of the two classifications has been designed independently, the application of both showed us to compare their results and gain experience in the use of each of them, which will be a great contribution to decide how to continue the stability evaluation of the rest of the Cuchillo Curá Cave System.
Based on the infield observations and the geotechnical studies carried out, it was determined that the Arenal cavern is contained in a poor to good (RMR) rock mass quality, affected by systematic discontinuities and, particularly, a clayey level that, due to its expansive, geometric and low resistance characteristics, it is considered as the most determining factor that influences its instability.
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