Flex barriers have come to be used instead of rigid structures for rockfall protection system all over the world for their excellent performance with high energy absorbing features. Ringnets fence is one of such flex barriers. These flex barriers are designed by repeating full-scale tests. However, it is impossible to compare the performance of different flex barriers objectively unless tests are performed by a common method, because results of dynamic tests depend on the test procedure. Recently, test guidelines for flex barriers have been issued as national standards in some countries. This paper outlines such guidelines and the Swiss Standard as an example.

Copyright (c) 2001 Railway Technical Research Institute