Design and installation of rock fall barrier for the Pos Slim project,

Malaysia

Tiru Kulkarni & Kenneth Choo
Regional Manager Managing Director
Maccaferri Asia Regional Headquarters Maraputra Sdn Bhd.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Ipoh, Malaysia

ABSTRACT

Rock fall protection systems are a key element in the design and maintenance of
infrastructure networks. These systems are generally categorized as either active
systems ( ie ) where the system acts before the initiation of rock mass detachment , or
passive systems ( ie ) where the system acts after the detachment of the rock mass.
Rock fall barriers comprise of a complex system of energy absorption devices that
function as a passive rock fall mitigation mechanism. The design of such systems is
based on a combination of site simulations and field crash tests. Due to recent
developments in standardizing design and testing criteria for rock fall barriers, these
systems are rapidly gaining acceptance due to reasons of site adaptability and economy.
This paper deals with the various design and construction issues encountered on the Pos
Slim rock project in Malaysia. The project is located in a geo-morphologically unstable
region and involved several measures undertaken for the protection of a highway from
unstable rock and soil slopes.

Key words: active and passive rock fall mitigation systems, rock fall barriers.


INTRODUCTION

The concept of utilizing rock fall barriers is relatively new in Asia. Even in Europe,
where these systems and applications are more common, the field of rock fall engineering
is widely considered to be an evolving code of practice ( ie ) the design and installation of
these systems depends largely on the experience and expertise of the engineer and the
visualization of the problem.

The main parameters affecting the design of a rock fall barrier system are:

Falling energy
Falling velocity
Height of impact


Falling energy and Falling velocity are related by the equation :

E = 0.5*m*v + 0.5*I*

where:

m is the mass of the block
v is the translational velocity of fall
I is the moment of inertia of the block
is the angular rotational velocity

Generally, for large block sizes the component of rotational energy ( given by the factor
0.5*I*) is minimal, and can be neglected in practice.

Therefore,

E = 0.5*m*v

Falling velocity ( ie ) velocity of free fall can be estimated from the following graph



The height of impact depends on:

Morphology of the slope and
Trajectory of the block

The trajectory of rocks which bounce while falling is more difficult to forecast as
compared to unstable rock wedges which follow primarily a sliding pattern, as their
trajectories are defined by the morphology of the slope.

A rock fall barrier is a complex system consisting of:

Posts
Connection structures which act to transfer the energy to the energy dissipation
devices
Energy Dissipation Devices which help in the dissipation of the generated energy
on impact.
Intervention structure which acts to catch the falling rock mass
Foundations and anchors


A typical rock fall barrier is shown in the figure below



























The mechanism of energy dissipation in a rock fall barrier is a complex process and very
difficult to simulate and compute analytically. A live crash test is hence the accepted
norm for certifying a stipulated capacity for the rock fall barrier.
THE POS SLIM PROJECT

The Pos Slim project involved slope stabilization works in Cameron Highlands, in the
state of Pahang in Malaysia. The geology of Cameron Highlands comprises mainly
granite rocks followed by small portions of metamorphic rocks and alluvium.

The geomorphology of this area is mainly dominated by denudational process as it is
situated in a mountainous area and has constituent of deep highly weathered martial.
Most parts, especially the exposed unprotected areas like slope-cut abandoned agriculture
sites and slope-from agriculture sites, are highly affected by this process. Therefore,
erosion feature such as rill gullies can be clearly seen, and as a consequence, in certain
areas the phenomenon of mass movement is predominant as these features worsen. This
can be clearly seen from the photograph below





The site was located between

Northing 507975.593 and 508139.493 and
Easting 372754.721 and 372656.941 for the lower berm
And
Northing 507975.593 and 508139.493 and
Easting 372754.721 and 372656.941 for the lower berm
Northing 508161.910 and 508337.210 and
Easting 372724.410 and 372638.040 for the upper berm

Total length of the site was 400 m.

Boreholes taken at five locations on the site showed a mix of stiff gravel and silt up to a depth
ranging from 10m 20m followed by highly fragmented slate. The table below gives a summary
of the borehole findings at the site:

Borehole number

0-10 m depth 10-20 m depth 20m + depth
BH 1 Stiff sandy gravel Weathered slate. End
of BH @ 13.0 m due
to bed rock

BH 2 Stiff sandy gravel Stiff sandy gravel Stiff sandy gravel till
22.0m. Weathered
slate from 22.0m. End
of borehole @ 37.0m
due to bed rock.
BH 3 Sandy gravel Stiff sandy gravel Weathered slate. End
of BH @ 22.1m due
to bed rock
BH 6 Stiff sandy gravel.
End of BH @ 6m due
to bed rock.

BH 7 Weathered slate. End
of BH @ 4.5m due to
bed rock


The photograph below depicts the type of weathered slate formation prevalent at the site



DESIGN OF THE ROCK FALL BARRIER

One of the first steps in the design of the rock fall barrier involved deciding the capacity
and the height of the barrier. This involved a rock fall trajectory analysis carried out on a
standard cross section at the site, whose results are shown below

Assumed weight of the rock mass considered 1800 kg 350 kgs
Coefficient of tangential restitution considered 0.4 with a standard deviation of 0.04
Coefficient of the normal restitution considered 0.85 with a standard deviation of 0.04


Total Kinetic Energy on LOWER BERM
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
1
.
7
2
E
+
0
3
1
.
6
0
E
+
0
4
3
.
0
3
E
+
0
4
4
.
4
6
E
+
0
4
5
.
8
9
E
+
0
4
7
.
3
2
E
+
0
4
8
.
7
5
E
+
0
4
1
.
0
2
E
+
0
5
1
.
1
6
E
+
0
5
1
.
3
0
E
+
0
5
1
.
4
5
E
+
0
5
1
.
5
9
E
+
0
5
1
.
7
3
E
+
0
5
1
.
8
8
E
+
0
5
2
.
0
2
E
+
0
5
2
.
1
6
E
+
0
5
2
.
3
0
E
+
0
5
2
.
4
5
E
+
0
5
2
.
5
9
E
+
0
5
2
.
7
3
E
+
0
5
Total Kinetic Energy [J]
N
u
m
b
e
r

o
f

R
o
c
k
s




Using a Kolmogorov Smirnov distribution with a cutoff percentage of 95, the design
kinetic energy was established at 146.99 KJ along with a design height of 1.287m for the
centre of gravity of the boulder.

Hence, keeping a minimum accepted Factor of Safety of 1.5, the capacity of the rock fall
barrier proposed was 250 KJ with a design height of 2.0m

FOUNDATION AND ANCHOR DESIGN

The foundation design was carried out using a force vector analysis. Rakered micropiles
were designed to resist a force of 213 KN.

There is no specific standard for micropile design. Relevant standards for individual
design components were followed for the purpose of this design. These standards are BS
8081 and BS 449. Also referred was Micro pile and anchor design by Michel
Bustamante.

The steps involved in the design were as follows:

The force on each micropile was calculated using a Force Vector diagram, based
on the measured upslope anchor force of 300 KN in the live crash test.
The micropile was designed to resist this force considering the strata encountered
for each borehole.
The maximum micro pile length of 13m ( encountered for BH 2 & 3 ) was
selected as the standard length for all micropiles.

Given under are is the micropile analysis for Borehole 2 & 3



















FORCE VECTOR DIAGRAM FOR MICROPILES ( NTS )


Considering the anchorage angle as 45 degrees ( w.r.t ) horizontal plane , we get

Horizontal component of Force = 300 Cos 45
= 212.13 KN
Say 213 KN

From the force vector diagram, the components of the force on the micropiles are 213 KN
each ( equilateral triangle ).

For Borehole 2 & 3

Consider pile diameter = 0.1 m

Tl = [ * Ds1 * Ls1 * qs1 * 1000 ( KN )] + [ * Ds2 * Ls2
* qs2 * 1000 ]

Where Ds1 = * Dq1

= 1.1 * 0.1
= 0.11
Ls1 = 5m ( consider top 4m as free length )
qs1 = 0.05 ( refer Bustamante : Fig 16 )

Ds2 = * Dq2

= 1.2* 0.1
= 0.12

Ls2 = 4 m
qs2 = 0.20 ( refer Bustamante : Fig 16 )



Therefore,

Tl = 387.98
Say 388KN

Therefore FS = 388 / 213
= 1.82 > 1.5

Therefore OK

Therefore total micro pile length at BH 2 = 4m + 5m + 4m = 13m

Tendon design

Consider 40mm rebar ( min yield stress lim = 600 N / sq mm )

Assume sacrificial thickness 8mm

Net diameter of rebar = 32 mm

Yield force of rebar = * D / 4 * lim

= 482 KN

FS = 482 / 213

= 2.26 >> 1.5

Hence OK

Provide 40 mm dia rebar for micropile.

Micro pile details

Diameter of micropile 100 mm
Diameter of bore 120 mm
Length 13 m



Anchors were designed on a similar methodology for a force of 300 KN.

Summary for anchors

Diameter of micropile 100mm
Diameter of bore 120 mm
Length 14m

A typical cross section is shown in the figure below



CONSTRUCTION ISSUES

Construction started in July 2007. Some of the issues encountered during construction
were:

Difficulty in drilling at 45 angle Drilling proved to be very difficult due to the
fragmented strata present at the site. The fragments would choke up the drill hole
and slow down the progress. This was circumvented by bringing in high powered
drilling rigs and increasing the number of drilling machines. In total, two
mechanized drilling rigs were used for the project.
Difficult topography and terrain Simple tasks like provision of water for
construction became difficult due to the location of the site. As there was no
habitation nearby, temporary accommodation was constructed for the labourers
on site. Frequent labour turnover caused delays, as the labour force was not used
to working in such harsh conditions.


Some photos showing construction work in progress


Picture shows installation of the posts in progress

Picture shows material sorting at site

















Picture shows a monkey wrench being used for tensioning the diagonal wire ropes.



Picture shows installed barrier on the upper berm



The construction and installation work for the entire stretch of 400 m was completed in
October 2007, four months after commencement.

Conclusion

The efficiency of a rock fall barrier is decided by its performance during a rock fall
event. Since the construction of the barrier is quite recent, and there have been no rock
fall events after it was installed it is difficult to comment on this aspect.
However, the design and installation of the rock fall barrier provided a number of
engineering and project management challenges which were met successfully, thus
completing a successful installation.