New world record for Geobrugg AG
Flexible rockfall protection barrier catches 20-tonne concrete block falling at more than 100km/h
ON 10 October 2011, the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL) and Geobrugg AG set a new world record at the rockfall protection structure test facility in Walenstadt.
During the trial run for approval testing of a new flexible rockfall protection barrier, a concrete test block weighing 20 tonnes, free-falling from a height of 43m and hitting the barrier netting at a speed of 103km/h, was successfully stopped by the structure.
The recently developed, high-performance flexible rockfall protection barrier was manufactured by Swiss-based Geobrugg AG. During the trial, the impact energy of 8,000kJ exceeded the previous performance limit for high-performance flexible rockfall barriers (5,000kJ) by 60%.
This remarkable feat of Swiss engineering was witnessed by 450 experts from five continents and almost 50 countries. Detailed measurements necessary for EU approval and certification will be performed during November 2011.
WSL has been conducting experimental and computational research into the dynamic load-bearing behavior of such protective structures since 1999. It has been an EU-notified testing body since autumn 2010 and thus conforms to strict international testing standards.
According to WSL, the flexible rockfall barriers tested in Walenstadt perform as well as rigid constructions, but are considerably lighter. They are also easier to install and, therefore, more cost-effective than large reinforced concrete structures.
To see this world-record capacity rockfall barrier in action, visit the Geohazard Solutions page on the Geobrugg website (www.geobrugg.com) and watch a video of one of the development tests.
