Design Approach for Rockfall Barriers Tested According to ETAG 027

Abstract

The simplest and easiest way to design a deformable rockfall barrier is to compare the energy level calculated with the rockfall trajectory analyses and the results obtained by the full-scale crash tests performed according to the European Guideline ETAG 027. This calculation approach presents a lot of incertitude due to the difficulties to define the input data, the installation issues and the different performance of a barrier with a configuration that differ from the tested one. Designers should take into account all these aspects and introduce in their design safety coefficients able to increase the energies acting on the structure and reduce the resistances of the fence. Moreover, the performances in term of maximum elongation and residual height should be considered for an accurate design. Maccaferri, which has 130+ years of experiences in the rockfall protection field, uses the European guideline ETAG 027:2008 and the Italian standard UNI 11211:2012 as references for rockfall fence designs. The paper describes the calculation steps and the aspect to be considered in order to carry out a correct design at the service or ultimate limit state.