rockfall BLOG

New full scale test on rockfall embankments

From INCLINE this interesting video. 

 

Thomas

 

 

Rocex 2014 in Lecco -IT

As a member of the organizing committee, I welcome all interested on rockfall at the Rocex 2014 in Lecco - IT
https://sites.google.com/site/rocexs2014/home

Thomas

Articulated Concrete Block Mattresses (ACBMs)

 

From the experiences in submarine environment, this technology from Maccaferri could be applied to protect against natural risk in mountain?

In many cases the pipeline (water, sewers, it cable, ets..) pass nears rock slopes with rockfall problem; in some cases for my point of view this solution could be applied with a little layer of covering granular materiel (only aesthetic).

Thomas

 

IAEG XII 2014 Congress on Rockfall risk assessment

News, congress IAEG XII 2014 inTourin on Rockfall risk assessment and management - current practice and developments.

Link the web site

Thomas

Rockfall Characterization and Control

Thank you to John D Duffy from DOT of California (USA) for this interesting news. The book published form Transportation Research Board (TRB).

Here for buy >>>>>>  http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/167065.aspx

Thomas

Test 1:1 on P650 Maccaferri (6500kJ) in Fonzaso (IT) 24.10.12

I attended in october 2012 the full scale test organized by Maccaferri Spa and Risp Srl in the field test facility of Fonzaso - IT.

The test on rockfall barrier (RMC P650) with 6500kJ energies, post height 6.5m, impacted by boulder of 17666kg dropped from a height of 38.25m.

The video beolwe granted from Risp Srl, describe the event.

 

 In the last 10 years I have seen a lot of 1:1 test on rockfall barriers but this was impressive for two reasons:

1. easy and symmetric behavior of the barrier during the deceleration of boulder
2. elastic rebound of boulder during impact.

My point of view regarding the symmetric behavior is due to large number of brakes elements (with short eleongation, aprx 1.0m, ) distributed on the structure RMC P650 that guarantees an optimal distribution on forces in space and time of deceleration.

The bounce of boulder indicates (for my opinion) that rockfall barriers still has many structurals reserves....this is positive because the technical limits on rockfall barriers must and can still be reached.....good work to the producers...

What do you think?

Thomas

Tecco Full Scale test in Winterthur(CH) 09.10.12

I was invited by Geobrugg to attend a revolutionary test 1:1 in Winterthur (CH) October 9, 2012. It was a full-scale test to verify/ceck the behavior of the flexible steel mesh on a platform that simulates a slope landslide. Video procedure are linked belowe.

 

 

I seem to be back at the beginning of 90’s with the first full scale tests on rockfall barriers organized form Tubosider in France, Igor in Italy and Geobrugg in Switzerland. After 20 years of test 1:1 on rockfall barrier could be organize a “Technical Guideline to 1:1 test on felxible nettings” to standardize the procedure to test in full scale the nettngs on slops? What do you think?? Thomas

Attenuators Barriers or Hybrid Barrier

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

 

• Some technical details from producers
  • Link1
  • Link2

Others contributors will be appreciated

Thomas F.

 

The first 8000kJ steel rockfall barrier

Until now, the protection systems against rockfall for high energies (greater than 5000kJ) were rockfall embackments with or without geogrid and rockfall galleries ..... will not be as ... a new system of rockfall barrier in steel insert in this level of protection energy. The 8000kJ height 8.5m barrier of  Geobrugg AG has achieved a new record.... congratualtion to all the staff of Geobrugg AG for this interesting news...

 

Thomas

China, India, Philippines and Indonesia have highest economic risk from natural disasters

This interesting new risk analysis proposed to firma Maplecroft define the big potential exposure area to natural hazards very interesting ... link to article

Thomas