Flexible Rockfall Barriers

1
Flexible Rockfall Barriers

Presentation agenda

1. Examples for applications

2. Dimensioning of rockfall barriers

3. Testing of rockfall barriers

4. System and components of rockfall barriers

2
Engineered Solutions: Rockfall Barriers
Engineered Solutions: Rockfall Barriers
Engineered Solutions: Rockfall Barriers
Engineered Solutions: Rockfall Barriers
Dimensioning of rockfall barriers

9
Basics of rockfall

What is rockfall?
Rockfall: Step by Step
• Source zone
- Triggering

•
Trajector- Movement
y

• Deposition
Basics of rockfall

What is rockfall?
Collected data

• Rock type
• Boulder size / shape
• Trajectory
• Frequency
• Behaviour
• Subsoil conditions
• Deposition zone
 Rockfall Barriers: Dimensioning Simulations

Basis for any proper design is a detailed

site investigation!!!

Input:
• slope cross section
• surface properties
• design boulder
• location of barrier

Output:
• trajectories
• impact energy at barrier location
• bounce height at barrier location
• statistics
 Dimensioning of Rockfall Barriers

Simulations 2-D

Rockfall
energy
[kJ]
trigger zone

Jumping
transition height [m]
zone
Testing of rockfall barriers

15
GEOBRUGG rockfall barriers testing

• Performance known because

of real field testing
according to Swiss
guidelines
• Approval for type tested
barriers by the Federal
Office for the Environment
(FOEN)
• Approval for type tested
barriers by the European
Organisation for Technical
Approvals EOTA / ETAG 27
• Reliability!!!
GEOBRUGG rockfall barriers testing

Normativa Suiza SAEFL-WSL (2001/2006)

 Vertical free fall testing

17
GEOBRUGG rockfall barriers testing
GEOBRUGG rockfall barriers testing

Desarrollo de barreras flexibles

Finite element method

(= modelling with FARO / ETH Zurich and WSL)

20
 GEOBRUGG rockfall barriers testing

Impacto a sistema flexible

Deformation and deflection to consume impact energy:

21
Components and systems of rockfall barriers

22
Components of GEOBRUGG’s rockfall barriers
Components of GEOBRUGG’s rockfall barriers

retaining ropes

running post
wheels wire rope anchor

baseplate
concrete
foundation

anchor bolt
Components of GEOBRUGG’s rockfall barriers
Components of GEOBRUGG’s rockfall barriers

Baseplates
Components of GEOBRUGG’s rockfall barriers

Wire rope anchors

Components of GEOBRUGG’s rockfall barriers

Wire rope anchors

anchoring length = grouting length

wire rope anchor with spacers

stabilization tube for borehole

Components of GEOBRUGG’s rockfall barriers

Posts
Components of GEOBRUGG’s rockfall barriers

U-brake-elements
Linear energy dissipation,
no interaction with ropes
-> no damage to ropes.
 Components of GEOBRUGG’s rockfall barriers

TECCO® G80-4mm high tensile steel wire mesh

 Components of GEOBRUGG’s rockfall barriers

ROCCO® ring net

with 16-19 coils of 3mm high-tensile steel wire;
diameter ring 30 or 35 cm.
 Flexible Rockfall Barriers GBE Series

GBE-Series:
Standard Rockfall Barrier according to European Guideline ETAG 027

38
Flexible Rockfall Barriers GBE Series

 GBE-Series: Main features

 Modular systems
 Light weight components
 Very easy to install
 Small anchor forces

 GBE-Series: Approvals
 First systems with European Approval ETA
 Highest residual safety due to vertical drop
 Category A: Highest category for residual height
 CE marking

39
 Winner of the GE Product Innovation Award 2011

GBE Barrier
Line

Receiving the 2011 Ground Engineering Product Innovation Award from Alex
Kidd of the Highways Agency
Flexible Rockfall Barriers GBE Series

RXI/AXI rockfall barriers

 GBE series: Proven system for rockfall

42
Flexible Rockfall Barriers GBE Series

RXI/AXI rockfall barriers

 and even rock slides and small mud slides

43
Flexible Rockfall Barriers GBE Series

RXI/AXI rockfall barriers

 GBE series: Combined loads

44
 Flexible Rockfall Barriers RXE Series

RXE-Series:
Newest Rockfall Barrier for highest demands and low deflection

45
 Flexible Rockfall Barriers RXE Series

GBE rockfall barriers

 RXE-Series: Motivation for lower deflections

 Increasing demand for barriers which should

be placed close to the object to be protected

46
Flexible Rockfall Barriers RXE Series

 The very new RXE series

 To fulfill the same hardest requirements of
ETAG guideline 027 as the GBE series
 Lower deflection values: Can be placed closer
to the objects to be protected
 Additional safety and quality by fulfilling
double approval BAFU and EOTA

47
Flexible Rockfall Barriers RXE Series

GBE rockfall barriers

 High-tensile ring net ROCCO and two transmission

ropes integrated into the ring net

48
Flexible Rockfall Barriers RXE Series

GBE / RXE rockfall barriers

 Flexible Rockfall Barriers RXE Series

GBE rockfall barriers

 Guideline requirements and additional safety

features
Quality
Safety RXE series
• EOTA and BAFU
• Low deflection
GBE series
• Vertical Test FOEN / BAFU
ETAG 027 • Class A • Standard
• Inclined Test
• Category C
• High tolerances

57
Flexible Rockfall Barriers RXE Series

GBE rockfall barriers

Thanks for your attention

61