Real-scale investigation of the kinematic response of a rockfall protection embankment

Stéphane Lambert (1) , A. Heymann (1) , P. Gotteland (2, 3) , François Nicot (1)

1 UR ETGR (ETNA) - Erosion torrentielle neige et avalanches
2 3SR - Laboratoire sols, solides, structures - risques [Grenoble]
3 GéoMécanique

This paper addresses the response of rockfall protection embankments when exposed to a rock impact. For this purpose, real-scale impact experiments were conducted with impact energies ranging from 200 to 2200 kJ. The structure was composed of a 4m high cellular wall leaned against a levee. The wall was a double-layer sandwich made from gabion cages filled with either stones or a sand–schreddedtyre mixture. For the first time, sensors were placed in different locations within the structure to measure real-time accelerations and displacements. The test conditions, measurement methods and results are presented in detail. The structure’s response is discussed in a descriptive and phenomenological approach and compared with previous real-scale experiments on other types of embankments.

Mots clés: CINEMATIQUE; FORCE D'IMPACT; MERLON PARE BLOC; CHUTE DE PIERRES

Domaines: Sciences de l'environnement

Stéphane Lambert, A. Heymann, P. Gotteland, François Nicot. Real-scale investigation of the kinematic response of a rockfall protection embankment. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 2014, 14 (5), pp.1269 - 1281. ⟨10.5194/nhess-14-1269-2014⟩. ⟨hal-01012223⟩