I. Technical Principles & Structural Design

Core Components

Flexible protection systems consist of:

• Protection Mesh:

  • Steel wire rope mesh

  • Standard steel grids (iron wire grids) or TECCO® high-strength steel grids (tensile strength up to 500 kN/m for extreme environments).

• Anchoring System:
  Anchor rods, restraining cables, baseplates, and support ropes to ensure stable slope attachment.

• Energy Dissipation Devices:
  Pressure relief rings and steel columns that absorb impact energy through plastic deformation, reducing localized stress peaks.

Operational Mechanism

Utilizing the "flexibility overcomes rigidity" principle, these systems disperse concentrated loads (e.g., rockfalls) across the entire structure. Their flexible design allows localized deformation to prolong impact duration while maintaining structural integrity through mesh-support synergy. For example, Southwest Jiaotong University's next-gen system successfully intercepted a 6.5-ton impactor in 2,200 kJ tests, validating its energy absorption capacity.

II. Technical Advantages & Innovations

Performance Superiority

• Adaptability: Conforms to complex terrains without large-scale excavation, preserving ecosystems.

• Durability: Hot-dip galvanization (Grade AB anti-corrosion) ensures 30-50-year service life in humid/saline environments.

• Cost Efficiency: Modular design reduces construction costs by >50% with minimal maintenance.

Breakthrough Innovations

• Material Science: Collaborative R&D with Bekaert Group developed high-performance alloys, reducing material strength requirements by 40% and usage by 20%.

• Structural Optimization: Pioneered "chain-link mesh" damage control theory, driving updates to ISO 17745:2023 standards.

III. Applications & Ecological Value

Primary Use Cases

• Transportation Infrastructure: Slope protection for railways/highways to prevent rockfall hazards.

• Geohazard Mitigation: Active protection in landslide/prone areas (e.g., tourist sites, mines).

• Municipal Engineering: Riverbank stabilization and urban slope greening with aesthetic integration.

Environmental Contributions

• Low-Impact Construction: Minimal site disturbance enables natural vegetation regrowth.

• Eco-Engineering Synergy: SNS (Safety Netting System) products achieve dual goals of slope protection and ecological rehabilitation.

Sustainable Material Trends

• Biodegradable coatings and recycled metal alloys enhance compliance with EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) regulations.

Conclusion

Flexible protection nets are replacing rigid structures through their technical versatility and ecological compatibility. Future integration with smart monitoring sensors and self-healing materials will accelerate their role as core solutions for geohazard prevention and sustainable infrastructure development.