Rockfall (Rock Mesh) Netting

ROCK FALL NETTING (ROCK MESH) SOLUTIONS

RIX has recently and successfully completed one of the largest installations of rock mesh or rockfall netting in Australian Civil history. Located in Berkeley on the F6 the project also saw a world first in the use Maccaferri MO/SA.

 

 Southbound cutting prior to rock mesh installation.  Aerial shot of Southbound Rockfall Netting

 
Maccaferri being global leaders in research, design and manufacture of advanced solutions in geotechnics and soil erosion control, have the capability to tailor their products to the local situation. Maccaferri MO/SA is a world first developed by Maccaferri Australia in response to the needs of the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA).  
  
  
Northbound cutting, the toe of the rockmesh was not anchored but was weighted to enable easier maintenance.  Rock fall mesh being attached to the anchor systems.

Maccaferri MO/SA is unique in the:
  •  ability to capture and control a much reduced size of rock
  • increased strength  
  • double twist construction of the mesh that resists unraveling if damaged.
 
Anchor system for the rockfall netting.   Anchor system for the rock fall mesh.
As one of Australia’s leading installers of rockfall netting, RIX were chosen by the RTA for this world first. RIX brought together a team of Structural and Geotechnical Engineers which worked closely with the RTA to develop an anchor design that best suited the budget, program and site geology of the project. 
  
As experienced installers, RIX assessed the site conditions and identified two limitations i) access and ii) geology. Taking this into account RIX were able to direct the anchor design away from large diameter bolts, requiring large plant and an extended program, to smaller diameter bolts, requiring hand drilling and a shorter program.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit is due to our Engineering teams innovation, they took the sites limitations and integrated them into the anchor design. Friction between the high MPa rock and a concrete pad was incorporated into the anchor design, coupled together friction and tension enabled a much reduced:
  • anchor bar diameter (as compared to traditional designs)
  • plant
  • program  
 

 Northbound anchors for the rockfall mesh.  Anchors for the mid-cutting valley. In this part of the project the rockmesh was raised via a suspended cable.

 
The project was completed injury free and to the Clients satisfaction.