Numerical modelling of ground reinforced embankments used for rockfall protection

Rockfall protection embankments are widely used to stop high kinetic energy rolling, bouncing and sliding blocks, in order to protect roads, inhabited areas, quarry plants or yards. Different embankment types have been used, but actually the most frequently installed devices are reinforced ones with geotextiles, geogrids or metallic wire mesh. Nevertheless a design procedure has not been set up because the prediction of rockfall effects on passive protection structures, such as reinforced ground embankments, is a very complex task. In order to develop a design scheme for reinforced ground embankments, a systematic set of finite element method (FEM) numerical models has been implemented to evaluate effects of block impacts on the mountain-side and valleyside faces of embankments. Different impact characteristics and embankment sizes have been evaluated. The series of impact analyses permitted design charts to be obtained. These charts could be used to help engineers choose enbankment characteristics.