Construction World April 2018

Attenuators at Diana Falls.

continuous manner, optimizing post spacing and rope layouts. The draped TECCO mesh tail on these systems are up to 30 m long terminating about 3 m above the toe of the slope. In New Zealand, Geobrugg was approached for a rockfall protection solution for the section above the State Highway (SH6) near Diana Falls that would actively control the frequent high energy rockfalls. The best solution was the construction of a 5m high 3 000 kJ and two 6 m high 5 000 kJ Geobrugg attenuator barriers. The smaller system (3000kJ) was installed over 250 m above the highway. The first of the 5 000 kJ systems was installed 150 m up and the final, and largest barrier, was installed about 50 m above the road. The bottom rockfall attenuator was a huge structure with a 35 t high tensile steel ROCCO® ringnet drape to control and channel the falling rocks and debris to the roadside for the maintenance crew to clear. The attenuator system combines the proven strengths of both barrier and drape to provide a low maintenance protection. Attenuators are designed and built with high tensile steel wire. This solution is self-cleaning and virtually maintenance-free and deserves a closer look for situations in South Africa. 

Attenuator installation at Fraser Canyon.

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD APRIL 2018