## 3 Results
### Evaluation of theRoughness of the Discontinuities and Joint Roughness Coefficient (IRC)  
The morphology of surfaces, quantified by [PERSON] using the Joint Roughness Coefficient (_JRC_), is one of the characteristics that govern the shear strength of discontinuities. _JRC_ \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{l c c c} \hline \hline
**Lithotype** & **m** & **q** & **r\({}_{\textbf{I=100}}\)** \\ \hline Ammonitic red limestone (Palazzo Jung) & 2.38 & \(-62.35\) & 176 \\ Limestone (Monte Pellegrino) & 1.99 & \(-52.35\) & 146 \\ Limestone (Monte Catalanfano) & 0.76 & \(-6.80\) & 69 \\ Limestone (PizzolupoCastronovo) & 1.33 & \(-53.10\) & 80 \\ Calcarenite (Latomie del Paradiso) & 1.78 & \(-61.7\) & 116 \\ Tuff and Calcarenite & 2.18 & \(-70.3\) & 148 \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 2: Values of the slope coefficient (_m_) and the intercept (_q_) of the line for each lithotype. Figure 10: Influence of the decay of the texture on the reflectivity index (I) and the rebound values (r). can be obtained based on two options: roughness measurement in situ and in the laboratory based on the results of the direct shear test. In situ, it is typically assessed by measuring one or two profiles of the discontinuities in a specified direction with a profilometer, usually with dimensions up to 30-40 cm. The obtained profile is then visually compared against typical profiles proposed by [PERSON] and [PERSON] [56]. Nevertheless, there is a concern among researchers that the subjective nature of the visual comparison method could introduce biases in the _JRC_ estimations. However, the limitation of this method lies in the length of the standard profiles compared to that of the entire joint, and the _JRC_ parameter is significantly influenced by the scale effect. [PERSON] [29] provides a precautionary method to account for this influence and to estimate the scale-corrected _JRC_. In this method, the value of _JRC_ is obtained by correlating it with the inclination of the asperities (Figure 11a) [50]. The diagram (Figure 11b) is used to extrapolate the approximate _JRC_ value of a discontinuity in Monte Catalfano (Figure 11c). The anisotropy of surfaces [37], which is also a function of the genesis of the discontinuities themselves, cannot be considered with this method. In order to assess whether the laser technique overcomes these limitations, a more detailed evaluation of the anisotropy of roughness was developed on some discontinuities exposed on the wall of a quarry at Monte Catalfano. The additional advantage offered by the use of the laser scanner lies in the large number of obtainable coordinates, allowing for a statistical study of the inclinations of asperities as the base amplitude varies. This enables measurements in the direction of allowable kinematics. To this end, each discontinuity surface has been sectioned with a series of planes normal to the surface itself. The first step was to identify on the mesh the plane containing the surface. For each discontinuity, three points were then identified on the mesh: the central point of the surface, i.e., the origin (O) of the plane being defined, and the endpoints of the x and y axes coinciding with the edges of the discontinuity. Care was taken to align the direction of one of the two axes (x, y) with the direction in which the surface develops most significantly. In order to assess the inclination (i) of asperities as their base amplitude varies in different directions, traces of sections between the plane of the discontinuities and a set of planes with axes orthogonal to the discontinuity were obtained. The planes in this set were inclined to each other at an angle of 30\({}^{\circ}\) (Figure 12). Following  
Figure 11: (**a**) Measurement of joint roughness amplitude, (**b**) diagram [29], and (**c**) example of measurement on a discontinuity in Monte Catalfano. the described procedure, 6 roughness profiles were thus obtained for each of the 70 selected discontinuities within the point cloud, resulting in a total of 420 profiles.