Rigid and flexible rockfall barriers are structures designed to withstand impact and dissipate the kinetic energy of a falling rock. The application allows for the determination of: Maximum rope elongation, energy dissipated by the mesh, and energy not dissipated by the mesh.
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Net-based rockfall barriers generally consist of an interception structure, a support structure, a connection structure, and a foundation structure. These barriers are divided into two categories:
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Low-deformability (rigid) barriers, designed to stop rocks within limited spaces.
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High-deformability (flexible) barriers, designed to stop high-energy rocks through both elastic and plastic deformation.
The protection structure must be capable of resisting the impact and dissipating the rock’s kinetic energy.
1) Low-deformability barriers In most cases, the rock hits the mesh, which dissipates the kinetic impact energy through deformation.
2) High-deformability barriers When the energy dissipatable by the mesh is less than the expected maximum impact energy (Ed < Ecmax), flexible barriers are used, in which energy dissipators (brakes) are activated. A dissipator consists of a steel wire rope loop secured by a friction block. When the rock impacts the mesh, the loop tends to slide through the friction block, dissipating a fraction of the kinetic energy through friction.
3) Impact absorbed by the posts If the rock impacts one of the steel posts supporting the nets, it is necessary to verify the amount of energy that can be dissipated during the impact and the potential need for additional anchors.
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