Evaluation of energy absorption capacity of anti rockfall barriers with regard to their design parameters and geotechnical properties

The study determined the influence exerted by the main physical and mechanical properties of ground, included in the finite element Mohr–Coulomb model, on the energy absorption capacity of an anti rockfall barrier. First, a reference model was constructed using the earlier research results, which produced the primary dimensions of the structure. Then, the modeling involved gradual changes in the physical and mechanical characteristics of ground with recording of an impact energy such that absolute deformation of the safety barrier reached its depth, which is equal to failure of the structure. The modeling was performed in Plaxis 3D, with dynamic loading with an attenuation by 10% every 0.025 s, which simulated impact energy absorption by the safety barrier with a gradual attenuation. Using the numerical modeling results and a Python code, an optimum regression equation was captured with a coefficient of determination R2 0.963. The equation connects the depth and the physical and mechanical properties of a safety barrier with its impact absorption energy. Agreement of the modeling and calculation results is 97.5%, which allows using the formula for estimating limit energy absorption capacities of anti rockfall barriers.

Belov O. D. Evaluation of energy absorption capacity of anti rockfall barriers with regard to their design parameters and geotechnical properties. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2025;(7):24-37. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2025_7_0_24.

O.D. Belov, Graduate Student, NUST MISIS, 119049, Moscow, Russia, e-mail: below2idknet@inbox.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-0129-9484.

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