The rockfall barriers designed and built by Artigiana Costruzioni are the product of continuous research activity coupled to the commitment of skilled workforce.
The main stages of the design activity are as follows:

By re-running the two stages it is possible to create reliable, innovative and optimized systems both in performance and in cost terms.

Stage 1

The simulation - through structural calculation software - of the finished elements looks at the geometric and structural size of the components constituting the rockfall barrier.  The barriers are simulated through special software dedicated to the structural calculations and by carrying out a static as well as dynamic investigations.  For the static calculation the conditions of the system stability are investigated under three different headings:

• Attainment of the maximum absorpion of energy by the containment net;
• Attainment of the maximum braking force on the dampers;
• Assessment of the capability of the system to absorb the impact energy of the boulders rolling down a given slope.

The system - made up of net panels with guylines – is studies by analyzing two aspects:

1. boulder strike on central panel;
2. boulder strike on the last panel.

 The distinction is necessary for establishing  which guylines suffer the highest stress before deciding the extent of the structural dimensions.
On the dynamic side, an analysis is made using the motion equation referred to a disaggregation of the system’s components, by considering the elasto-plastic component a non-linear entity.

Stage 2

Real-life test of the barrier designed in the first stage, in a vertical impact test field equipped for releasing heavy weights from a prefixed height by using a derrick crane for the lifting and subsequent vertical release of test blocks; the latter are manufactured in reinforced concrete in a polyhedron shape and with a volume capable of reaching a minimum speed of 25 m/s on impact with the test barrier.

The crash-test assesses the performance characteristics of the tested barriers, in order to be able to optimize their details such as the articulated joints, the braking devices, the ropes etc. 

The tests performed on our rockfall barriers are carried out by accredited test laboratories, in accordance with the provisions detailed in the ruling specific standards.
At present the barriers manufactured by Artigiana Costruzioni are tested with reference to the “Testing guidelines for rockfall protection” Issue 15/03/2000, drawn up by the WSL of the Swiss Conferedation.  The rockfall barriers are placed into nine energy level categories ranging from 100 to 5000KJ.

The rockfall barrier testing method is the following:

1. Preliminary tests using small energy levels (performed on a side panel);
2. Preliminary test using 50% of energy level (performed on central panel);
3. Main test using 100% of energy level (performed on central panel);

followed by,

     4. assessment of barriers based on special criteria. 

In accordance with the standards, the rockfall barrier to be tested consists of a working module of at least three net panels; the latter, fixed at a slant, are tested with test blocks following the methods described earlier.
Throughout the tests the barriers are equipped with load cells placed, for instance, between the ropes and the anchor points and/or at the critical points, or at the most stressed positions on the structures. The data collected is processed by dedicated types of software and useful details are obtained of the types of stress within the barrier.