INVESTIGATING TEMPERATURE EFFECTS ON DEFORMATION OF HIGH MOUNTAIN HUTS

The Alpine region is experiencing temperature increases that exceed global averages, leading to significant environmental and engineering challenges. One critical consequence is the progressive degradation of permafrost, which compromises the stability of high-altitude rock slopes and has been associated with a growing number of rockfall events, particularly during extreme summer heatwaves. These failures are predominantly observed within the elevation range affected by permafrost retreat, however direct cause-effect relationships remain difficult to establish. This paper reports on a structural monitoring campaign at Capanna Margherita hut (Punta Gnifetti, 4554 m a.s.l., Monte Rosa massif), the highest mountain refuge in the Alps and Europe. A geomechanical monitoring system, initiated in 2023, was enhanced in 2024 with the installation of structural sensors. The system continuously records inclinometric, thermometric, and accelerometric data. Preliminary analyses focus on quantifying the relationship between air temperature variations and structural displacements, as well as assessing the dynamic characteristics of the hut under thermal and environmental influences. These results provide insights into the response of high altitude infrastructure to climate-induced thermal stresses.