Geotechnical Assessment of Rock Slopes at the Medieval Fortification of Mileševac

Summary

Abstract

Mileševac Fortress is a medieval stronghold located in southwestern Serbia, in the vicinity of the town of Prijepolje. The fortress is positioned on a steep rock cliff, overlooking the Mileševka River, the Mileševa Monastery, and the adjacent settlement. For the purpose of its reconstruction, comprehensive geotechnical investigations were undertaken to assess slope stability and to identify potential hazards that may compromise visitor safety. The fieldwork included detailed engineering–geological mapping and photogrammetric surveying of the slope using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Rock samples were collected from several locations for laboratory testing and petrographic analysis. Point cloud data were analyzed to define the structural fabric of the rock mass, followed by a kinematic stability assessment. The results indicated a potential for block detachment on the eastern side of the cliff along the access path, with estimated volumes ranging between 0.02 and 0.05 m³. Consequently, a three-dimensional rockfall analysis was performed to establish the necessary design parameters for the implementation of a rockfall protection barrier.