Experimental tests for the application of an analytical model for flexible debris flow barrier design

• A full scale test simulating a debris flow impacting on a barrier is presented.
• Impact forces were recorded and deformations were obtained from stereoscopic images.
• A test for calibrating the cable deformation function was performed on a barrier.
• Deformations and tensions from full scale test and analytical model are compared.

The design of flexible barriers against debris flows is a complex procedure because of the large number of parameters involved. In order to face this difficult task, the Authors have developed a simplified approach. The proposed simplified model involves the determination of parameters related to both the mobilized material and the various mechanical portions of the structure. A calibration phase is required to appropriately model the deformation of the net and the load transfer that occurs between the net and the horizontal structural cables. The determination of the parameters required to set up the analytical model is discussed in the first part of the paper. Tests carried out to calibrate the transfer function that allows the deformation behavior of the barrier to be reproduced using the analytical model are then reported.