Rockfall protection

+ enlarge image

+ enlarge image

Rockfall protection can be dealt with in two ways:-

- by curtain meshing the rock faces
- by catch walling

By curtain meshing the face, spalling rocks can be either held in place by pinning the mesh to the rock strata or by draping it over the face guiding the falling rocks harmlessly to the base of the escarpment.

The mesh facing normally has vertical and/or horizontal cabling secured to the mesh/rock to provide fixity and integrity to the jointing of the panels. It is normal to seek advice from specialist installation companies as to the design of this type of work. Additional anchoring of large unstable rock masses on the face may be required.

Catch walling is a freestanding gabion wall of sufficient mass to withstand impact of falling rocks. Location of the catch wall and height of the wall is important to ensure the trajectory of the falling rocks will be impacted on or behind the wall.