Flexible debris-resisting barrier

A flexible debris-resisting barrier is a structure used to mitigate debris flows or to contain flow-entrained woods.[1][2][3][4][5] These structures mainly consist of interconnected metallic components (cables, posts, shackles...). Flexible debris-resisting barrier are derived from rockfall barriers and were first proposed in the middle of the 1990s in the USA.

In torrents, flexible debris-resisting barrier constitute a sound alternative to check dams for containing debris flows.

The main components of flexible debris-resisting barriers are:

• An interception structure, made up of a principal net with metallic cables, wires, and/or bars and additional layers, usually a finer mesh than the principal.
• A support structure made of metal posts, to support the interception structure.
• Connection components (also called brakes), which dissipate energy from the barrier into the ground and/or foundation.

These barriers are often installed in torrents bed to intercept and contain flow-entrained granular materials or woody debris. In their simplest form, flexible debris-resisting barriers only consist of an interception structure. When installed in larger channels, the barrier also includes a support structure.

See also

• Debris flow
• Check dams
• Rockfall barrier

References

1. Vagnon, Federico; Segalini, Andrea; Ferrero, Anna Maria (2015-01-01). "Studies of Flexible Barriers Under Debris Flow Impact: An Application to an Alpine Basin" (PDF). Procedia Earth and Planetary Science. 15: 165–172. Bibcode:2015PrEPS..15..165V. doi:10.1016/j.proeps.2015.08.041. ISSN 1878-5220.
2. "Canadian Science Publishing". doi:10.1139/cgj-2015-0481. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
3. Albaba, Adel; Lambert, Stéphane; Kneib, François; Chareyre, Bruno; Nicot, François (November 2017). "DEM Modeling of a Flexible Barrier Impacted by a Dry Granular Flow". Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering. 50 (11): 3029–3048. Bibcode:2017RMRE...50.3029A. doi:10.1007/s00603-017-1286-z. ISSN 0723-2632. S2CID 133741753.
4. Wendeler, Corinna; Volkwein, Axel; McArdell, Brian W.; Bartelt, Perry (June 2019). "Load model for designing flexible steel barriers for debris flow mitigation". Canadian Geotechnical Journal. 56 (6): 893–910. doi:10.1139/cgj-2016-0157. hdl:1807/94649. ISSN 0008-3674. S2CID 133889177.
5. Song, D.; Choi, C. E.; Ng, C. W. W.; Zhou, G. G. D. (2018-01-01). "Geophysical flows impacting a flexible barrier: effects of solid-fluid interaction". Landslides. 15 (1): 99–110. doi:10.1007/s10346-017-0856-1. ISSN 1612-5118. S2CID 3527695.