Slope stabilisation
Slope protection is divided by how the material is controlled. Active systems hold the slope surface in place with nets anchored into the rock or soil. Passive systems stand at the base of the slope and catch material that has already detached. The two are frequently combined on one slope, and both are supplied as complete kits: net, ropes, anchors, posts and energy dissipaters.
Also known as: Active net · Slope netting · Rock face net · Slope stabilisation mesh
Active and passive systems solve different problems on the same slope and are commonly combined. Both are configured from the site design and supplied as complete kits.
Flexible net laid over the slope face and anchored, holding loose material in place.
Also known as: Active net · Slope netting · Rock face net · Slope stabilisation mesh
A flexible net laid over the slope face and anchored into stable ground behind it. Because the net is held against the slope, loose material is contained rather than allowed to move, so this is called an active system.
| System type | Active system, anchored against the slope face; passive barriers are a separate product |
|---|---|
| Mesh type | Steel wire rope net or high-strength ring net |
| Mesh aperture | 300×300 mm typical; other sizes according to the design |
| Rope diameters | Main rope 8 mm; support and perimeter rope 12–16 mm |
| Anchors | Sized to the geological conditions and the required pull-out resistance |
| Finish | Hot-dip galvanized or zinc-aluminium alloy coated components |
| Design basis | Anchor layout, rope size and mesh are set from the slope survey and stability analysis |
Catch fences with energy dissipaters that intercept rock after it has fallen.
Also known as: Catch fence · Rockfall barrier · Debris flow barrier · Energy absorbing fence
A barrier placed away from the slope to intercept falling rock. Energy dissipaters in the support system absorb the impact by allowing controlled movement, which is how a light-looking fence can be rated for a large impact.
| Energy class | 250, 500, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000, 3,000, 5,000 kJ, according to the rockfall study |
|---|---|
| Barrier height | 2–8 m in the standard range |
| Structure | Steel posts, ring net, support ropes and braking elements (energy dissipaters) |
| Mesh | Ring net, or high-strength wire rope net depending on the class |
| Foundations | Concrete or anchored rock foundations sized for the design load |
| Finish | Hot-dip galvanized steel components throughout |
| Supply | Complete kits with installation guidance and component schedule |
| Mesh | High-strength steel wire rope net or ring net |
|---|---|
| Ropes | Perimeter, support and cross ropes in galvanized steel |
| Anchors | Grouted or mechanical anchors sized to the ground conditions |
| Coating | Hot-dip galvanized or zinc-aluminium alloy for long service life |
Typical configuration
Active net with anchors on rock faces
Controls small rock falls onto the carriageway.
Typical configuration
Active net plus local scaling where required
Protects the track from loose material on the slope.
Typical configuration
Energy class by rockfall study, H 3–6 m
Placed between the slope and the carriageway.
Typical configuration
Barrier with restricted deflection
Deflection must be limited where clearance is tight.
An active system is laid against the slope and anchored, so it holds the surface material in place. A passive system is a barrier erected away from the slope that catches material after it has fallen. They are often used together on the same slope.
It is the impact energy the barrier is designed to absorb, expressed in kilojoules. The rating comes from a rockfall study that models the likely block sizes, the fall height and the trajectory, and it cannot be estimated from the barrier height alone.
Yes, and they often are: the active net stabilises the slope face while a passive barrier at the toe protects the road or structure below from anything that still breaks loose. Both are designed from the same site survey.
Send the slope survey or design, the rock size class and the protection level. We will kit the active net, passive barrier or both to the design.
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