Geotechnical monitoring as key safety management element at the Dürnstein/Wachau rockslide / Geotechnische Messungen als zentraler Bestandteil des Sicherheitsmanagementplans beim Felssturz Dürnstein/Wachau

Following a rockslide in a former quarry near the town of Dürnstein/Wachau, extensive remedial measures were necessary to restore the damaged rail infrastructure and ensure long term safety. To provide for safe working conditions during the phase of construction of additional protection measures, a geotechnical risk management system based on the observational method per EC 7 was developed and implemented. Geotechnical monitoring was a key safety management element. The paper discusses the specific challenges, practical approaches and general experiences associated with the use of the observational method for the monitoring of cliff faces.