EOTA Certification Test of the ISOSTOP 2000 Ev Rockfall Protection Kit

In 2013 the Pfeifer Isofer R&D department invented the modular brake element ISODISK 25. This patented unique energy dissipation device is used in the ISOSTOP rock fall protection kits of the future. Already in use in the EOTA certified and CE-marked ISOSTOP 250 E barrier, the brake element has passed the most challenging free fall tests imaginable. Based on the multiple opportunities of this stackable brake element, the next step in the evolution of the Pfeifer Isofer product family is development the of the dynamic ISOSTOP 2000 kJ rock fall protection kit. To grant a balanced performance of the kit, the designing of the 2000 Ev rockfall barrier focused on the optimized interaction of the components. The centre pieces of the barrier are the reliable diagonal wire rope net (DSN) combined with stacks of ISODISK 25. Impact energy is captured by the strong net and transferred along the twin 20 mm bearing ropes into the posts and onto the brake elements, placed at the sides of the barrier. Along the predefined tear path, the brakes rip open, dissipate the energy and limit the load force on the anchors. The compact brake elements and the light weight steel work construction - HEA 160 beams - reduce the transportation costs and make helicopter airfreight profitable. The handy brakes with a weight of 6.5 kg a piece, reduce the installation efforts significantly. With these key features the barrier is economically optimized and helps to safe valuable resources while blending perfectly into landscape. The completed barrier was erected and tested under the surveillance of the Swiss WSL and the ETA approval body TSUS at the vertical test site in Walenstadt, Switzerland. According to the EOTA 027 test procedure, the kit was impacted by a Maximum Level Test of 2000 kJ (MEL), reinstalled and impacted by two Service Level Tests (SELs) each of 670 kJ. Between the two SELs no maintenance on the barrier is to be performed. All three tests were passed successfully. The test results, especially the component performance and the residual heights fulfilled all requirements for a Class-A certification of the kit. A tested barrier height of 4 m enables Pfeifer Isofer to offer certified kits with commercial heights between 4 and 5 m. In a pilot project, a 40 m long and 4 m high ISOSTOP 2000 Ev barrier was installed in Vallpolicella, northern Italy. Here the catch fence was placed hill side of the mountainous transit road in a forested area. The anchor forces of the certification test, helped to minimized drilling efforts on the construction site. The assembly of the barrier was characterized by convenient handling and quick installation. Within three days, the entire kit was erected by the installation crew. The light barrier structure blends perfectly in the vulnerable landscape and increases the safety on the road.