Mechanical interactions between a falling bock and external obstacles

Abstract

At the present time there is a real tendency to fight natural phenomena, which are sometimes not foreseeable, by using systematic accuracy in both the analysis and management of the risk associated with rockfall. In particular, frequent rockfall occurrence has resulted in the development of passive protection methods such as rockfall restraining nets. These are specific structures, located below rocky cliffs, to protect both people and infrastructures. Designing of these structures requires to describe both the trajectory of the boulders, and their interaction with the protective structure. Furthermore, rockfall analysis should encompass the description of the interaction between boulders and natural ground and forest stands. This paper gives significant insight about both experimental and numerical modelling of interaction between a falling block and external obstacles. Application to the design of rockfall protective structures is thus discussed.