Rockfall tests in the Flüela Pass using protective nets for the first time

14.10.2019  | Claudia Hoffmann |  News SLF

The experiments are part of an Innosuisse project intended to promote collaboration between research institutions and companies. The project partners are the SLF and Geobrugg, which wants to test a new version of its existing safety nets in the field. For this purpose, the nets are fitted with sensors to measure the impact forces, while the blocks also contain sensors to measure their rotation and acceleration. High-speed video recordings also provide information about movement patterns during impact. "The aim is to gain new measurement data to refine the nets' construction and improve our rockfall simulation programme", says SLF project manager Andrin Caviezel. This new range of stress tests conducted under real conditions is a valuable addition to the standardised fall tests carried out by the manufacturer.

The shape of the block plays a role

Previous experiments, conducted without nets, already yielded important findings. "Our data show that the shape of the block should not be underestimated in the risk assessment", says Caviezel. For example, wheel-like blocks have a much wider runout zone than cube-shaped ones. On the other hand, the speeds and jump heights of various block shapes barely differ. The measurement data also provide more accurate representations of the blocks' different interaction with soft or hard ground than have been available up to now in the RAMMS::ROCKFALL simulation program.

RAMMS::ROCKFALL is used by engineering firms around the world for risk assessment and the dimensioning of protective structures. So far, it has successfully simulated the runout zones of blocks on the terrain in question. The long-term goal is also to model how blocks interact with safety nets and other protective structures. The current series of experiments will contribute towards achieving this.
 

Project page Rockfall experiments