MAC.RO.

1:
Design of Pin Drapery Systems

Maccaferri Rockfall day 2013

Mesh System technical workshop
Mac.Ro. 1: Design of PIN DRAPERY SYSTEM

The system for the superficial stabilization is composed by

ANCHORS + MESH.
The anchor has a structural function.
 The NEW Software MACRO 1:
Design of Pin (or Secured) Drapery Systems
 MACRO 1 software is a simple design approach for secured
drapery system, which combines the field experience of geologists
and engineers on one hand, and the results of full scale drapery
field tests on the other.

The calculation procedure allows for determining both the ultimate

limit state (verification of breaking loads of the system
components), and serviceability limit state (maximum permissible
deformation of the facing).
MACRO 1:
The calculation is done using the Limit State Design (LSD)
approach. This method provides margin of safety, against
attaining the limit state of collapse by introducing some
safety factors:
• Partial Factors: resisting forces are decreased to produce
the design strength (Rd);
• Load factors: acting forces are increased to produce the
design load (Ed).

The equation at the base of the LSD calculation method is

described with the following formula:

Rd ≥ Ed
 ? ?
Pin (or Secured) drapery
?
Mesh facing + pattern of nails

Goal:
- Improve the surficial
? stability
- Prevent the falling of debris

Main questions:

- Which is the calculation

procedure for the nailing?
Mesh - … and for the facing?
Nails
 Anchors Facing
Stabilization of the slope Keep the rock or the soil
between the nails
Why do we need to use a PIN DRAPERY SYSTEM?

• Stabilization of the superficial portion of the rock;

• Maintain in place the unstable block or material;

• Reduce the maintenance cost;

…of course the system is more expensive in comparison to a

Simple Drapery System…
The superficial stability analysis is totally different for the rock than for the soil.
This presentation is for the rock facing stability analysis.
Open a New MACRO 1 project
Design information
Options
Input: Project information  General Info
Input: Project information  Description
Input: Project information  Company Info
Input: Rock Slope parameters
 MA.CRO 1: slope input data

Slope Input data

Inclination
Unstable rock thickness
 MA.CRO 1: slope input data

The instable thickness has to be defined.

The rock is characterised by joint that define
the instable blocks
 MA.CRO 1: slope input data
Software concepts

Most unfavorable joint

 alfa

S = The average thickness of the

loose rock mass
Unstable Stable Rock
rock mass mass
 = average inclination of slope
surface
 beta
 MA.CRO 1: geotechnical data

Geotechnical Data
Rock unit weight
JRC (Roughness) of the most dangerous joint
JCS (unconfined compressive strength) mst. dan. joint
Seismic coefficient

Slope Input data

Inclination
Unstable rock thickness
 MA.CRO 1: geotechnical data

JRC most dangerous joint C

roughness of the joint

JCS most dangerous joint:

unconfined compressive strength
of the most dangerous joint set [MPa]
JOINT OPENING
Typically is 1/3 of the UCS.

CRACKS

D
MA.CRO 1: geotechnical data

Schmidt hammer
MA.CRO 1: geotechnical data

Barton Comb
 MA.CRO 1: instability data

Geotechnical Data
Rock unit weight
JRC (Roughness) of the most dangerous joint
JCS (unconfined compressive strength) mst. dan. joint
Seismic coefficient

Data of the
Slope Input data instability
Inclination
Joint inclination
Unstable rock thickness Geotechnical
Model

W E

W E

4:FRONTE

2:giunti franapoggio

S
W 3:giunti1:Strati
reggipoggio E
1:Strati
3:giunti reggipoggio 4:FRONTE

2:giunti franapoggio

Geological compass
 MA.CRO 1: Type of anchors

Geotechnical Data
Rock unit weight
JRC (Roughness) of the most dangerous joint
JCS (unconfined compressive strength) mst. dan. joint
Seismic coefficient Anchor Type
Yield stress
Data of the Bar diameter
Slope Input data instability Bar inclination
Inclination
Joint inclination
Unstable rock thickness Geotechnical
Model

Default choices Customization

Input: Anchor Bars
 In PIN drapery system NAILS are adopted 
The nail does not transfer any force from the head to the ground

NAIL:
• Plate generally not required
• The drill is fully grouted
• No pre‐stress
BOLT
•The plate is required
•There is a «free» section 
without the grouting
•Low pretentioning is 
required

Do not modify the tension stress  The connection to the rock is 
of the soil with a expansion‐
mechanical tool
WHY WE DO NOT USE THE BOLTS?

1. On rockfall applications the bolts MUST be grouted in order to

develop their shear resistance: longer installation time!
2. Bolts do not increase the efficiency of the system, BUT they are
more expensive: both the supply and the installation cost is
higher compared to the nails!
3. Short bolts (30 – 60 cm) do not stabilize the superficial portion
of the slope: they just maintain the mesh by the rock!
4. Attention because if a block fall the short bolt can remain
attached to the block and it can damage the mesh: possible
failures of the mesh!
5. Instead of using short bolts, it is better change the approach and
use a Simple Drapery System: MORE COST-EFFECTIVE!
 MA.CRO 1: Type of anchors

WE HAVE TO DEFINE:
- Bar diameter [mm or inch]
- Steel yield stress [MPa or ksi]
- Bar inclination (deg)

Bar subjected to pure shear
( case “e” ): the greater the
joint dilatancy, the higher
the resistance contribution
of the bar.
2
Bar subjected to pure traction
( case “b” ): the joint dilatency
does not affect the resistance
contribution due to the bar.
 MA.CRO 1: Anchor density

Geotechnical Data
Rock unit weight
JRC (Roughness) of the most dangerous joint
JCS (unconfined compressive strength) mst. dan. joint
Seismic coefficient Anchor Type
Yield stress
Data of the Bar diameter
Slope Input data instability Bar inclination
Inclination
Joint inclination
Unstable rock thickness Geotechnical
Model
Dimension of
the block to be
stabilised
Anchor Density
Vertical distance
Horizontal distance

iy

ix
Input Data: Partial safety factors on anchoring system
CALCULATION: Feature of the instability

Using the geomechanical parameters of the slope, it is

possible to calculate the initial dilatancy of the most dangerous
joint with the Barton-Brandis resistance criteria.

effective joint compressive strength

effective roughness

tension acting on the slip surface

Where: W is the total unstable weight controlled by 1 anchor =

W = Vol .  = (iy . ix . s) . 
 Check 1: Anchor

Geotechnical Data
Rock unit weight
JRC (Roughness) of the most dangerous joint
JCS (unconfined compressive strength) mst. dan. joint
Seismic coefficient Anchor Type
Yield stress
Data of the Bar diameter
Slope Input data instability Bar inclination
Inclination
Joint inclination
Unstable rock thickness Geotechnical
Model
Dimension of
the block to be
stabilised
Anchor Density
Vertical distance
Horizontal distance

Anchor
Check
CALCULATION: Anchor check

The design of the anchoring system has to be divided into 2

parts:

1. The first one takes into consideration the capability of the

nail to stabilize the superficial portion of the rock-slope,
thus the minimum bar diameter has to be designed;

2. The second has to define the minimum theoretical length

of the steel bar.
1. Nail check: DIAMETER

RW is the total partial factor: RW = T . W . B ≥ 1.0

DW is the total load factor: DW = MO . OL ≥ 1.0

 Input Data: Partial safety factors on the driving and stabilizing
forces

Partial factor Thickness of T

applied on the the instability
instability/rock Unit weight of W
the rock
Rock behavior B RW

Load factor Slope MO

morphology
External loads OL DW
Suggested values for the partial and load factors
 Geotechnical Data
Rock unit weight
JRC (Roughness) of the most dangerous joint
JCS (unconfined compressive strength) mst. dan. joint
Seismic coefficient Anchor Type
Yield stress
Data of the Bar diameter
Slope Input data instability Bar inclination
Inclination
Joint inclination
Unstable rock thickness Geotechnical
Model
Dimension of
the block to be
stabilised
Anchor Density
Vertical distance
Horizontal distance

Anchor
Check
NO

Mesh
Type
Y
Input: mesh type
Input: mesh type
 Behavior of the system

The meshes never lie in perfect contact on the ground

surface
 Behavior of the system

On planar surfaces the meshes can develop

tangential forces only

That is why, even if the mesh is pre tensioned, no

one pressure acts on the ground.
 Behavior of the system

The meshes pushed down in the

hollows can develop localized forces
only ( R ).
R R

The modulus of R is absolutely

negligible

The lifting of the mesh from the

ground contact can be done simply
using the fingers.
 Behavior of the system

The ground moves and pushes on the

mesh and not vice versa !
 MA.CRO 1: Mesh type

Suitable mesh for Pin Drapery Systems:

- AT ULTIMATE LIMITE STATE: better high tensile strength
- AT SERVICEABILITY LIMIT STATE: better low deformation

MESH Tensile strength Deformation Suitable?

DT mesh LOW MEDIUM YES (maybe
reinforced with
cables)
Steel Grid MEDIUM – HIGH LOW YES
HEA panel HIGH VERY LOW YES
Ring Net VERY HIGH HIGH NO
Single twists MEDIUM – HIGH HIGH NO
Mesh tensile resistance
 Longitudinal strength
Laboratory test

Connection strength Transversal strength

 Mesh longitudinal tensile strength:

MESH TYPE MESH SPEC Tensile strength

[KN/m]
Double twist mesh 8x10, 2.7 mm 50 KN/m
8x10, 3.0 mm 60 KN/m
8x10 2.7 PVC 50 KN/m
Steel Grid HR HR 30 177 KN/m
HR 50 122 KN/m
HR 100 80 KN/m
HR 30 PVC 119 KN/m
HR 50 PVC 89 KN/m
HR 100 PVC 80KN/m
HEA panel 300x300 rope 8 mm 211 KN/m
300x300 rope 10 mm 299 KN/m
400x400 rope 8 mm 156 KN/m
400x400 rope 10 mm 221 KN/m
400x400 rope 8 mm P 156 KN/m
What about the transversal tensile strength?

In-situ evidence and in-situ full scale test showed that a

tensile strength of 15-20 kN/m is enough for the 85-90% of
the cases!

The blocks or soil follow the gravity force, thus the mesh is
stressed mainly longitudinally!
Understand the deformations
 LABORATORY TESTS

1. Small scale tests

Punching tests have been carried out also on mesh samples on a
small scale (1x1 m)
 LABORATORY TESTS

2. Full scale tests ( according to UNI 11437 )

Membrane stiffness
evaluation
( University of Venice – Italy
IUAV)
 Punch test in IUAV laboratory
Venice University (2012)

Punch test
Sample 3.0 x 3.0 m restrained on 4
sides.

The test provides information

about the mesh behavior on
typical situations and allows
the right design approach for
the secured drapery
calculation.

Punch test in IUAV laboratory

Venice University (2012)
 LABORATORY TESTS
2. NEW full scale tests according to UNI 11437:2012

Membrane stiffness evaluation

(University of Venice – IUAV)
 IN SITU TESTS Politecnico Torino test

3. Full Scale Tests (3 x 3 m)

Nails

Evaluation of 
the real 
behaviour of the 
mesh on site Jack

Politecnico di 
Torino‐
Maccaferri
Punching device
 Politecnico Torino test

3.0 m
Politecnico Torino test
 DT mesh ‐ 3.00 mm ?
60 Important factors:
50
‐ SCALE EFFECT
Load (kN)

3x3 m
40

30
1x1 m
3x3 m IN SITU ‐ CONNECTION
20

10
ST mesh – 3.00 mm
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900

Displacement (mm)
80

70

60
Load (kN)

50
1x1 m
40

30

From small (1x1 m) up 3x3 m

20
3x3 m IN SITU
to full real scale (3x3 10
m) test comparison 0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
Displacement (mm) 1100
A GOOD MESH is a stiff and
low deformable membrane!
On rock....

HEA PANEL STEEL GRID CHAIN LINK – ST MESH

 Check 2: Mesh ULS & SLS

Geotechnical Data
Rock unit weight
JRC (Roughness) of the most dangerous joint
JCS (unconfined compressive strength) mst. dan. joint
Seismic coefficient Anchor Type
Yield stress
Data of the Bar diameter
Slope Input data instability Bar inclination
Inclination
Joint inclination
Unstable rock thickness Geotechnical
Model
Dimension of
the block to be
stabilised
Anchor Density
Vertical distance
Horizontal distance

Anchor
Check
NO

Mesh
Type
Y

Mesh
Check
CALCULATION: mesh

The mesh (facing) has to be able

to contain the potential
unstable blocks that could fall
between the nails.
These failures are supposed to
slide along the most dangerous
joint (inclined with ) and push
against the facing with a
certain force (F) which can be
divided tangentially (T) and
normally (M) to the mesh
 CALCULATION: mesh

Maximum rock volume that can slide between the anchors and then
push against the facing:

V = VA + VB + VC

Where:
VA = ½ iy2 . tan( – ); if { >  or  >  - tan-1(s / iy)} and { =  - tan-1(s / iy)};

VB = s . [iy – s / tan( – )]; if { <  - tan-1(s/iy)};

VA = ½ s2 / tan( – ); if {{ < -tan-1(s/iy)};

 CALCULATION: mesh

Then, the maximum weight that can slide between the anchors can
be calculated:

MB = V . 
And consequently the maximum punching force acting on the facing:

M = (MB-DRV – MB-STB) . sin() . ix

Where:
MB-DRV = sum of the driving forces acting on the sliding plane:
MB-DRV = (MB . sin  + c . cos ) DW
MB-STB = sum of the stabilizing forces acting on the sliding plane:
MB-STB = MB . sin  (1 – c) / RW
 CALCULATION: mesh

At this point it is possible to define the deformation angle of the

mesh (from the slope surface):

P ≈ tan-1(Zbulg / 1.50)

Where Zbulg is the displacement of the

chosen mesh related to the punch
load M. This value is defined on the
load-displacement curves determined
by the punch-tests.
Mesh Check: ULTIMATE LIMITE STATE
Mesh Check: SERVICEABILITY LIMITE STATE

• Bulg = imposed maximum allowable bulging

• M-BULG = safety factor on the allowable bulging
(= 1.50 if the facing is properly installed on a
regular surface slope; = 3.0, if the mesh is
installed improperly on a slope with uneven
morphology)

3.0 m
• Zbulg = maximum bulging of the mesh under 1.5 m
the max load applied
Mesh Check: SERVICEABILITY LIMITE STATE

The imposed deformation (Bulg) has to be defined considering several aspects:

• Possibility to maintain the facing;
• Allowable risk for the stripping of the anchors;
• Interference between the slope (covered by the pin drapery system) and the
structure/infrastructure to be protected;
• Geotechnical condition of the slope;
• Admitted settlement at the top of the slope.
 Geotechnical Data
Rock unit weight
JRC (Roughness) of the most dangerous joint
JCS (unconfined compressive strength) mst. dan. joint
Seismic coefficient Anchor Type
Yield stress
Data of the Bar diameter
Slope Input data instability Bar inclination
Inclination
Joint inclination
Unstable rock thickness Geotechnical
Model
Dimension of
the block to be
stabilised
Anchor Density
Vertical distance
Horizontal distance

Anchor
Check
NO

Length of the
anchors
Mesh Increase the
Type
Y
anchor density

Increase the mesh

Mesh performances
Y Check
NO
2. Nail check: LENGHT
 Lp Li
Ls
 Geotechnical Data
Rock unit weight
JRC (Roughness) of the most dangerous joint
JCS (unconfined compressive strength) mst. dan. joint
Seismic coefficient Anchor Type
Yield stress
Data of the Bar diameter
Slope Input data instability Bar inclination
Inclination
Joint inclination
Unstable rock thickness Geotechnical
Model
Dimension of
the block to be
stabilised
Anchor Density
Vertical distance
END Horizontal distance

Anchor
Check
NO

Length of the
anchors
Mesh Increase the
Type
Y
anchor density

Increase the mesh

Mesh performances
Y Check
NO
 Not Satisfied
RUN MACRO 1… Satisfied BUT
high SF
Satisfied
What do we have to do?

To verify the Nail Condition:

- Reduce the spacing between the anchors
- Increase the anchor diameter

To reduce the ULS safety coefficient of the mesh:

- Reduce the tensile strength of the mesh (I use a Steel Grid
HR 100 instead of a Steel Grid HR 30)
RUN MACRO 1 again…
REPORT
Case Study – Monte San Paolino (CT) – Sicily (Ita)

Rockfall Barrier
RMC 200/A
(2000 kJ) H+ 4m

Secured
drapery system
approx. 5000
m2
Geomechanical Survey
Topography Survey
Input Data

• Average inclination of the slope = 85°

• Unit weight of the Chalk = 22 kN/m3
• Inclination of the most dangerous joint = 60°
• UCS (Unconfined Compressive Strength) = 15 Mpa (typical
value for the chalk = 15 – 30 Mpa)
• JCS (Unconfined Compressive Strength of the most
dangerous joint) = 5 MPa (1/3 of UCS)
• Horizontal seismic coefficient = 0.10
• Thickness of the unstable portion of the rock = 50 cm
• JRC (roughness of the most dangerous joint) = 0.10
(smooth joint)
Results: type of mesh

HEA Panel 300x300 mm with 10 mm cable + Double Twist wire mesh, type 8x10,
3.0 mm
Results: type of anchors

Steel thread bar (yield and ultimate stress = 500 and 550 Mpa):
- 25 mm in diameter
- Spacing 2.5 x 2.5 m
- Length = 2.5 m
CONCLUSION:

Even if the software allows a quick and simple calculation approach,

onsite observations are always recommended to achieve a good
design, with the ultimate goal of protecting property and the
public.