New Protection Wall Against Rockfall Using a Ductile Cast Iron Panel

Abstract

In Japan, slope disasters occur due to earthquakes, abnormal weather and inappropriate land development. It is important to identify safe and economical countermeasures against rockfall disasters. We developed a simple, long-lasting and low-cost structure with maximum impact dissipative action when stopping rockfall. In order to simulate rockfall impact, various energies of falling rocks were made to collide with real-scale protection structures. The new type of protection wall against rockfall using a ductile cast iron panel is an efficient barrier and has an effective dissipative function. It also has very good permeability. The structure is flexible and the design and construction can take into account of the natural environment and topographic features.