What is R7/3/300 rockfall netting rating?

R7/3/300 means 7 wire loops per ring, 3.0mm wire diameter, and 300mm ring diameter. This specification is rated for rockfall energy absorption up to 3,000 kJ, suitable for medium-to-high energy rockfall hazards on highway and railway slopes.

How is rockfall netting tested for energy absorption?

Rockfall netting is tested per ETAG 027 guidelines using a dynamic impact test. A concrete block of specified mass is dropped from a calculated height to achieve the target kinetic energy. The net must contain the block without tearing or anchor failure. Tests are conducted at accredited laboratories such as EMPA (Switzerland) or similar facilities.

Can you provide phased delivery for large slope protection projects?

Yes, Haobo Metal offers phased delivery for large projects. We work with the contractor's installation schedule to ship materials in batches that match construction phases. This reduces on-site storage needs and improves cash flow for the project. Phased delivery requires a production schedule aligned at the order confirmation stage.

Slope Protection System for Highway Construction in Chile: 25,000 sqm Rockfall Netting

July 8, 2026

yle="color:#fff;margin-top:0">Project Overview

Project Location	Andes Mountain Highway, Chile
Product	High-Strength Rockfall Netting (R7/3/300) + Tecco Mesh
Quantity	25,000 sqm total coverage
Wire Specification	3.0mm high-tensile steel, 1,770 N/mm² tensile strength
Client	South American infrastructure consortium
Completion	2024 Q1

The Challenge

A new highway construction project through the Chilean Andes faced severe rockfall hazards across 8 separate slope sections. The geological survey identified:

Loose rock formations at elevations between 1,200-2,800 meters
Maximum rockfall energy of 3,000 kJ — requiring R7/3/300 rated netting
Extreme temperature variations from -15°C to +40°C across seasons
Remote location with limited crane access — all installation by rope-access teams
ASTM A975 compliance required by the project's US-based engineering consultant

Our Solution

Haobo Metal engineered a dual-layer slope protection system combining R7/3/300 ring nets with Tecco-type high-tensile mesh for comprehensive coverage:

System Design


Component	Specification	Function
Primary Ring Net	R7/3/300, 7 loops, 3.0mm wire, 300mm ring	Energy absorption up to 3,000 kJ
Secondary Tecco Mesh	65×65mm opening, 3.0mm HT wire	Fine debris containment
Spike Plates	300×300mm, 8mm thick, hot-dip galvanized	Anchor point distribution
Anchor System	Self-drilling anchors, 32mm, 3-6m depth	Rock mass stabilization
Boundary Rope	16mm steel wire rope, 1,960 N/mm²	Perimeter reinforcement

Production & Testing

Given the project's safety-critical nature, every production batch underwent enhanced testing:

Tensile testing per batch: 10 samples per 1,000 sqm, all exceeding 1,770 N/mm²
Ring net energy absorption: Dynamic impact testing at Swiss Federal Laboratories (EMPA) — all samples passed 3,000 kJ rating
Salt spray corrosion: 1,500 hours per ISO 9227 — coating weight verified at 275+ g/m²
Third-party inspection: Bureau Veritas conducted full pre-shipment inspection with zero non-conformities

Logistics Execution

The 25,000 sqm order required 7×40' HQ containers. To support the remote installation, we organized shipments in 3 phases matching the construction schedule:

Phase 1 (Month 1): 3 containers — Sections A, B, C (lowest elevation, earliest installation)
Phase 2 (Month 2): 2 containers — Sections D, E
Phase 3 (Month 3): 2 containers — Sections F, G, H (highest elevation, last to install)

Results

25,000

Square Meters Protected

3,000 kJ

Energy Rating Achieved

3 Phases

Just-in-Time Delivery

The slope protection system has performed flawlessly through one full seasonal cycle, including the rainy season with multiple rockfall events successfully contained. The client praised the phased delivery approach which eliminated on-site storage requirements at the remote location.