This paper investigates the dynamic respons eof low energy, semi-rigid rockfall barriers. The study is based on a FE model that reproduces the geometry, components and connections of the existing systems that were previously tested at The University of Newcastle. The mechanical behaviour of the relevant barrier components was calibrated from simple mechanical tests and the response of the assembled system, i.e. 2 m high, 15 m long rockfall barrier, was validated against of full-scale tests results. Following a satisfactory validation of the model, further dynamic non-linear analyses were conducted to investigate the dependence of the full system performance to the size of impacting blocks. Interestingly, the total failure energy was found to evolve non-monotonically with block size because of dynamic effects that seem to prevailfor impact speeds in the range of 15-20 m/s. The study also highlights the complex effects of adding intermediate longitudinal cables to the system. An improvement of the barrier performance is observed for the large blocks but the bullet effect is exacerbated for small blocks.

Mentani, A., Giacomini, A., Buzzi, O., Govoni, L., Gottardi, G., Fityus, S. (2016). Numerical modelling of a low-energy rockfall barrier: New insight into the bullet effect. ROCK MECHANICS AND ROCK ENGINEERING, 49(4), 1247-1262 [10.1007/s00603-015-0803-1].

Numerical modelling of a low-energy rockfall barrier: New insight into the bullet effect

MENTANI, ALESSIO;GOVONI, LAURA;GOTTARDI, GUIDO;
2016

Abstract

This paper investigates the dynamic respons eof low energy, semi-rigid rockfall barriers. The study is based on a FE model that reproduces the geometry, components and connections of the existing systems that were previously tested at The University of Newcastle. The mechanical behaviour of the relevant barrier components was calibrated from simple mechanical tests and the response of the assembled system, i.e. 2 m high, 15 m long rockfall barrier, was validated against of full-scale tests results. Following a satisfactory validation of the model, further dynamic non-linear analyses were conducted to investigate the dependence of the full system performance to the size of impacting blocks. Interestingly, the total failure energy was found to evolve non-monotonically with block size because of dynamic effects that seem to prevailfor impact speeds in the range of 15-20 m/s. The study also highlights the complex effects of adding intermediate longitudinal cables to the system. An improvement of the barrier performance is observed for the large blocks but the bullet effect is exacerbated for small blocks.
2016
Mentani, A., Giacomini, A., Buzzi, O., Govoni, L., Gottardi, G., Fityus, S. (2016). Numerical modelling of a low-energy rockfall barrier: New insight into the bullet effect. ROCK MECHANICS AND ROCK ENGINEERING, 49(4), 1247-1262 [10.1007/s00603-015-0803-1].
Mentani, A; Giacomini, A.; Buzzi, O.; Govoni, L.; Gottardi, G.; Fityus, S.
File in questo prodotto:
Eventuali allegati, non sono esposti

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11585/585550
 Attenzione

Attenzione! I dati visualizzati non sono stati sottoposti a validazione da parte dell'ateneo

Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 43
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 36
social impact