Hanging mesh for the protection of cliffs and banks
Hanging mesh is a low-cost system of surface protection for banks and cliffs Smaller-size unstable rocks drop, bouncing as they go, between the wall and the mesh. At the same time, they can also naturally slide to the bottom of the rock-face. It is fixed on anchors at the head of the wall or on raised bars or guyed poles uphill. This allows a ‘hood’ to be created which receives weak and unstable spillage from uphill and redirects them downhill without risk of spreading.
Hanging mesh is generally strengthened or mounted to the foot of the wall via anchors and ropes. These last elements allow rocky elements to go the foot of the wall. Here, what’s at stake is passive protection which solely prevents rocky elements spreading to the ground during their fall.
This is not a reinforcement method. However, it is imperative to contain all those unstable areas which are beyond the capacity of the mesh to contain. For example, a block of several cubic meters directly tearing the mesh. This last example has to be nailed directly, reinforced by a net, canvas rope or erected according to the set-up and context.
Hanging mesh, a low-cost protection solution?
In general, hanging mesh does not require specific maintenance. The collection of material can be carried out easily at the base via an appliance or manually. In conclusion, hanging mesh is the lowest-cost protection solution. This is because there is no usage of anchors or nails for reinforcement as compared to a flat mesh. However, the other side side of this coin is that this measure does not prevent changes in the wall, whether in terms of erosion or other instabilities.