A new design approach for rockfall barriers

摘要

the design of rockfall barriers requires analytical simulations of the trajectories of the falling blocks along the slope. The easiest way to design these structures is by comparing the energy level defined by the numerical analysis with the results of the full-scale test carried out according to ETAG 027/2008 ("Guideline for European Technical Approval of Falling Rock Protection Kits"). This is the guideline used by the manufacturers to test their rockfall fences. Unfortunately this approach has a lot of uncertainties because it does not take into consideration all the technological limits of the rockfall barriers and the installation issues. This paper illustrates the procedure of a new design approach based on the Italian norm UNI 11211:12, the European Guideline ETAG 027/2008 and the in-situ experience of Maccaferri in the rockfall protection field.