Energy Capacity
The design energy capacity of the mitigation structure is determined by comparing the design energy (action energy) with the resistance capacity (energy) of the structure. Various partial factors of safety are applied in order to compensate for uncertainties in the modeling results, as well as simplifications during product testing such as idealized impacts in the middle of a field and height of a fence panel, simplified block form, absence of rotational energy, etc.
Action Energy
The design value of action energy TE,d is based on the characteristic energy as determined by rockfall analysis results, which are carried out by the state-of-the-art techniques, and the product of a partial factor of safety according to the consequence class. The 99th fractile of the energy distribution for the design block generated from simulations is used for the characteristic value of energy (TE,k). The partial factor of safety (γE,kin).
TE,d = TE,k ∙ γE,kin
whereby
TE,d : design value of action energy
TE,k : characteristic value of modeled energy that is equal to T99[design block]
γE,kin : partial factor of safety as per table.
CC1 | CC2 | CC3 | |
γE,kin | 1.0 | 1.05 | 1.15 |
Resistance Energy
The design resistance value of energy TR,d is based on the available commercial characteristic energy capacity of a structure (Tk,MEL) according to ETAG 27 or EAD 340059-00-0106 guidelines reduced by a partial factor of safety according to the consequence class. The partial factor of safety (γT,R) is defined as per the table below.
TR,d = Tk,MEL ∕ γT,R
whereby
TR,d : Design resistance of energy (capacity of fence)
Tk,MEL : Maximum Energy Level (MEL) energy class according to product approval (ETAG 27:2012, Clause 2.4.3.2)
γT,R : Partial factor of safety as per table.
CC1 | CC2 | CC3 | |
γT,R | 1.0 | 1.05 | 1.15 |

Verification
For the verification of design absorption capacity, the design action value of energy must be smaller than or equal to the design resistance value of energy as follows:
TE,d ≤ TR,d
References
EOTA (2012) ETAG 27: Guideline for European Technical Approval of Falling Rock Kits. Brussels, Belgium.
Step-by-Step
Guide
Consequence Class
What level of risk is there?
Click HereDesign Block
How is the design block selected?
Click HereEnergy
What system capacity is sufficient?
Click HereHeight
What system height is required?
Click HereAnchorage
How is an anchor verified?
Click HerePerformance
What other performance criteria are there?
Click HereConstructive Rules
How can the system be safely adapted to a site?
Click HereMaintenance
What recommended maintenance protocols exist?
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