Ground Reinforced Embankments fro Rockfall Protection. From Real Scale Tests to Numerical Modelling.

The use of ground reinforced embankments for rockfall protection purposes is widely diffused throughout the world and it is an interesting and feasible application, in particular when blocks that move with high energy have to be dealt with. However, no design procedures have been standardized yet and the reinforced structures and technology are often chosen on the basis of the designer’s experience. For a correct design, it is necessary for the designer to perform calculations that are feasible and they should therefore take into account the dynamic effect of the impact. It has clearly been shown by many researchers that to disregard this effect can lead to an in-correct design. A correct evaluation of the structure behaviour and design can be obtained through numerical modelling both with Finite Element Method or with Discrete Element Method. These methods have proved to be useful design tools, after having been calibrated using the results of full scale tests and thesy are discussed in detail in the book chapter