In last years, expecially in United States and Canada a new type of rockfall protection system has developed.
These new barrier are usually called "rockfall attenuator" or "hybrid barrier". The reason for these two definition are:
- the new system don't stop the block in movemnt but slows it and guiding it during the slope
- the new system is a combination of two tecnologies, rockfall protection barrier and drapery systems on rock cliff
For my point of view is better the terms "attenuator barrier" is a more intuitive terms to explain the behavior of structure.
Where the zone to protect has before a sufficent area of possible accumulation of block, the AB (attenuator barrier) will be interesting; with this system the block are not stopped but guiding down along the slops and accumulated at the foot of slops. Another interesting aspect of this barrier is the reduction of maintenance and the capacity of auto cleaning.
In this drawings belowe are be explained the behavior.
Here you can find some detail directly from the web:
- Sperimentation from WSL and Axel Volkwein
- Video impact on this barrier
Others contributors will be appreciated
Thomas F.