Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A review of flexible protection in rockfall protection

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Natural Hazards Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Natural hazards, such as high winds, heavy rains and ice melting, can easily trigger the rockfall which usually leads to great personal injuries and property loss; therefore, the rockfall protection is of great significance and necessity. Among the types of protection, the flexible protection occupies a beneficial condition of application. This paper indicates the basics of flexible protection which includes its classification and advantages, subsequently, analyzing the mechanism of both active protection and passive protection, and then systematically summarizing the research accomplishments, and puts forward the research direction of the flexible protection, including: (1) apart from the traditional rigid protection, the flexible protection has a wide range of advantages, which makes the flexible protection a new and effective protective structure in the rockfall protection; (2) the current researches reveal that though the scholars have done a variety of achievements of flexible protection, there is still a lack of precise simulation of the whole model and local test of the component; (3) putting forward the prospective research direction minutely in both active protection and passive protection.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abad MSA, Shooshtari A, Esmaeili V, Riabi AN (2013) Nonlinear analysis of cable structures under general loadings. Finite Elem Anal Des 73(73):11–19

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Azzoni A, Freitas MHD (1995) Experimentally gained parameters, decisive for rock fall analysis. Rock Mech Rock Eng 28(2):111–124

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bertolo P, Oggeri C, Peila D (2009) Full-scale testing of draped nets for rock fall. Can Geotech J 46(3):306–317

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bertrand D, Nicot F, Gotteland P, Lambert S (2008) Discrete element method (DEM) numerical modeling of double-twisted hexagonal mesh. Can Geotech J 45(8):1104–1117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bertrand D, Trad A, Limam A, Silvani C (2012) Full-scale dynamic analysis of an innovative rockfall fence under impact using the discrete element method: from the local scale to the structure scale. Rock Mech Rock Eng 45(5):885–900

    Google Scholar 

  • Buzzi O, Spadari M, Giacomini A, Fityus S, Sloan SW (2013) Experimental testing of rockfall barriers designed for the low range of impact energy. Rock Mech Rock Eng 46(4):701–712

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buzzi O, Leonarduzzi E, Krummenacher B, Volkwein A, Giacomini A (2015) Performance of high strength rock fall meshes: effect of block size and mesh geometry. Rock Mech Rock Eng 48:1221–1231

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castro-Fresno D, Del Coz Diaz JJ, López LA, García Nieto PJ (2008) Evaluation of the resistant capacity of cable nets using the finite element method and experimental validation. Eng Geol 100(1–2):1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cazzani A, Mongiovı̀ L, Frenez T (2002) Dynamic finite element analysis of interceptive devices for falling rocks. Int J Rock Mech Min 39(3):303–321

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cerro M, Giacchetti G, Lelli M, Grimod A, Arul A (2016) Hybrid rockfall barrier—new design methodology based on the Colorado full-scale test experience. In: Proceedings of the first Asia Pacific slope stability in mining conference, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp 393–406

  • Coulibaly JB, Chanut MA, Lambert S, Nicot F (2018) Sliding cable modeling: an attempt at a unified formulation. Int J Solids Struct 130–131:1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Del Coz Díaz JJ, García Nieto PJ, Castro Fresno D, Blanco Fernández E (2009) Non-linear analysis of cable networks by FEM and experimental validation. Int J Comput Math 86(2):301–313

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Del Coz Díaz JJ, García Nietob PJ, Castro-Fresnoc D, Rodríguez-Hernándezc J (2010) Nonlinear explicit analysis and study of the behaviour of a new ring-type brake energy dissipator by FEM and experimental comparison. Appl Math Comput 216(5):1571–1582

    Google Scholar 

  • Dhakal S, Bhandary NP, Yatabe R, Kinoshita N (2012) Numerical and analytical investigation towards performance enhancement of a newly developed rockfall protective cable-net structure. Nat Hazard Earth Syst 12(4):1135–1149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Escallón JP, Wendeler C (2013) Numerical simulations of quasi-static and rockfall impact tests of ultra-high strength steel wire-ring nets using Abaqus/Explicit. In: 2013 SIMULIA community conference, Austria

  • Escallón JP, Wendeler C, Chatzi E, Bartelt P (2014) Parameter identification of rockfall protection barrier components through an inverse formulation. Eng Struct 77:1–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Escallón JP, Boetticher V, Wendeler C, Chatzi E, Bartelt P (2015) Mechanics of chain-link wire nets with loose connections. Eng Struct 101:68–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gentilini C, Govoni L, Miranda SD, Gottardi G, Ubertini F (2012) Three-dimensional numerical modelling of falling rock protection barriers. Comput Geotech 44(44):58–72

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gentilini C, Gottardi G, Govoni L, Mentani A, Ubertini F (2013) Design of falling rock protection barriers using numerical models. Eng Struct 50(3):96–106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giacomini A, Thoeni K, Lambert C, Booth S, Sloan SW (2012) Experimental study on rockfall drapery systems for open pit highwalls. Int J Rock Mech Min 56(12):171–181

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glover J, Denk M, Bourrier F, Volkwein A, Gerber W (2012) Measuring the kinetic energy dissipation effects of rock fall attenuating systems with video analysis. In: 12th Congress INTERPRAEVENT, vol 1, pp 151–160

  • Gottardi G, Govoni L (2010) Full-scale modelling of falling rock protection barriers. Rock Mech Rock Eng 43(3):261–274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grassl H, Volkwein A, Anderheggen E, Ammann WJ (2002) Steel-net rockfall protection - experimental and numerical simulation. In: 7th international conference on structures under shock and impact, Structures under shock and impact VII, Structures and materials, vol 11, pp 143–153

  • Hambleton JP, Buzzi O, Giacomini A, Spadari M, Sloan SW (2013) Perforation of flexible rockfall barriers by normal block impact. Rock Mech Rock Eng 46(3):515–526

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lambert S, Gotteland P, Nicot F (2009) Experimental study of the impact response of geocells as components of rockfall protection embankments. Nat Hazard Earth Syst 13(3):459–467

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu CQ, Chen LY (2015) Application and study of passive flexible protective net in slope protection. Highway 6:44–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu CQ, Chen LY, Chen C, Wei T (2014) Experimental study on the passive flexible protection under the rock-fall impact. Chin J Geol Hazard Control 25(4):37–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu CQ, Chen LY, Chen C, Deng YX (2016a) Full scale test and fem simulation for ring-type brake energy dissipater in falling rock protection. Chin J Rock Mech Eng 35(6):1245–1254

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu CQ, Chen LY, Qi X (2016b) Force analysis of passive protection nets with different connection modes under rockfall impact. China Railw Sci 37(2):17–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu CQ, Deng YX, Wei XD (2016) The research of pre-stress calculation method in the ring-type break energy dissipater through energy principle. In: 25th National conference on structural engineering, China

  • Liu CQ, Tian S, Chen C, He GJ, Zhao BD (2016d) Study on the ring-brake energy dissipater in passive flexible protection. Railw Stand Des 60(9):36–41

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu CQ, Wei XD, Lu Z, Wu HD, Yang YL, Chen LY (2017) Studies on passive flexible protection to resist landslides caused by the May 12, 2008, Whenchuan earthquake. Struct Des Tall Spec 26:e1372. https://doi.org/10.1002/tal.1372

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moona T, Oh J, Mun B (2014) Practical design of rockfall catchfence at urban area from a numerical analysis approach. Eng Geol 172(5):41–56

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nicot F, Cambou B, Mazzoleni G (2001) Design of rockfall restraining nets from a discrete element modelling. Rock Mech Rock Eng 34(2):99–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peila D, Ronco C (2009) Technical note: design of rockfall net fences and the new ETAG 027 European guideline. Nat Hazard Earth Syst 9(4):1291–1298

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peila D, Pelizza S, Sassudelli F (1998) Evaluation of behaviour of rockfall restraining nets by full scale tests. Rock Mech Rock Eng 31(1):1–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Priour D (2003) Analysis of nets with hexagonal mesh using triangular elements. Int J Numer Methods Eng 56(12):1721–1733

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sasiharan N, Muhunthan B, Badger TC, Shu S, Carradine DM (2006) Numerical analysis of the performance of wire mesh and cable net rockfall protection systems. Eng Geol 88(1–2):121–132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spadari M, Giacomini A, Buzzi O, Hambleton JP (2012) Prediction of the bullet effect for rockfall barriers: a scaling approach. Rock Mech Rock Eng 45(2):131–144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tajima T, Maegawa K, Iwasaki M, Shinohara K, Kawakami K (2009) Evaluation of pocket-type rock net by full scale tests. Iabse Symp 10:10–19

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tajima T, Maegawa K, Iwasaki M, Kawakami K (2010) Evaluation of pocket-type rockfall protection nets using shock absorbers by full scale weight impact tests. Kozo Kogaku Ronbunshu A 56:1088–1100

    Google Scholar 

  • Thoeni K, Lambert C, Giacomini A, Sloan SW (2013) Discrete modelling of hexagonal wire meshes with a stochastically distorted contact model. Comput Geotech 49(4):158–169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thoeni K, Giacomini A, Lambert C, Sloan SW, Carter JP (2014) A 3D discrete element modelling approach for rockfall analysis with drapery systems. Int J Rock Mech Min 68(2):107–119

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson AG, Villaescusa E, Player JR, Morton EC (2013) Rock support mesh responses to static and dynamic loadings, Rock dynamics and applications - State of the art, 1st international conference on rock dynamics and aplications, pp 537–542

  • Tran PV, Koji M, Saiji F (2013) Experiments and dynamic finite element analysis of a wire-rope rockfall protective fence. Rock Mech Rock Eng 46(5):1183–1198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tran van P, Maegawa K (2012) Experiments and numerical modeling of a rockfall protective wire rope fence. Int J GEOMATE 2(2):219–226

    Google Scholar 

  • Volkwein A, Schellenberg K, Labiouse V, Agliardi F, Berger F, Bourrier F, Dorren LKA, Gerber W, Jaboyedoff M (2011) Rockfall characterisation and structural protection—a review. Nat Hazard Earth Syst 11(9):2617–2651

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang M, Shi SQ, Yang YK, Luo X (2010) Mechanical analysis of the resistant capacity of cable nets in the active protection systems. J Logist Eng Univ 26(3):8–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Wyllie D, Shevlin T, Glover J, Wendeler C (2017) Development of design method for rockfall attenuators. In: 68th Highway geology symposium, Georgia

  • Ye SQ, Chen HK, Tang HM (2010) Method for calculating the impact force of falling stone. Chin Railw Sci 31(6):56–62

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao YN, Qi X, Yu ZX, Zhao SC (2016) Preliminary study of hybrid flexible rockfall protection het. Chin J Geol Hazard Control 27(1):111–116

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51778538), the China Scholarship Council (No. 201707005100), and the China-Indonesia Joint Research Center for High-speed Railway Technology (No. KY201801005) are acknowledged and sincerely appreciated by the authors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, China

    Jingjin Yang, Suli Duan, Qinfeng Li & Chengqing Liu

  2. Key Laboratory of High-speed Railway Engineering of Ministry of Education, Chengdu, 610031, China

    Jingjin Yang, Suli Duan, Qinfeng Li & Chengqing Liu

Authors
  1. Jingjin Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Suli Duan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Qinfeng Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Chengqing Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chengqing Liu.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Yang, J., Duan, S., Li, Q. et al. A review of flexible protection in rockfall protection. Nat Hazards 99, 71–89 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-019-03709-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-019-03709-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation