Full-Scale Testing of Rockfall Barrier and Post Foundation Systems

The use of rockfall barrier systems is common in the United States in mountainous areas. Many of these rockfall systems are placed along the shoulder of roadways to stay within the right-of-way owned by the various transportation agencies. Many issues have arisen with the design, certification, testing, and application of barrier and post systems as most of the rockfall barrier systems marketed in the United States are tested and approved in Europe. The rockfall barrier testing guidelines generally follow the Guideline for European Technical Approval of Falling Rock Protection Kits, otherwise known as ETAG 027. This guideline provides a basis for documenting full-scale testing of rockfall barrier systems for energies ranging from 100 kJ to 4,500 kJ. When specifying and/or designing post foundation systems for transportation agencies, two major limitations become apparent using ETAG 027: (1) no specified limit for outward panel deflection resulting from a rockfall event, and (2) no protocols or guidance for post foundation testing or design. This paper provides observations, results, and summaries of the 17 vertical-drop tests in which concrete "boulders" were dropped into various barrier fence systems for energies up to 1,000 kJ and, separately, 29 post and post foundation direct impact tests that were conducted for energies up to 220 kJ.