In this paper is presented the physical-mathematical models of analysis and design for the load support capacity calculation, which have been developed for a new type of "anisotropy" membrane under different installation conditions. The new membrane, TECCO® Mesh G-65 is made of high strength steel wire. The laboratory results of the mechanical characterization of two membranes type TECCO® Mesh G-65 manufactured with 3 and 4 mm diameter steel wires 1770–2100 N/mm2 are presented. The load-deformation curves, relationship among tensions in different directions and confined module of elasticity were obtained. For this objective a specific laboratory installations were designed, which are able to evaluate with high precision all the abovementioned parameters. The load support capacity of the surface stabilization system for different TECCO® Mesh installation conditions, were determined starting from the values of the mechanical parameters of the membranes introduced in the mathematical models which corresponds to the physical models of the systems. As a result of the works done, was observed a high coincidence of the results obtained with the application of the theoretical models and with those obtained in the test facility with the mesh submitted to a distributed load. On the other hand, was observed a coincidence between the load deformation values for the entire system using the calculation models based on the theory of elasticity with those obtained using the models based on the system geometry and equilibrium of forces (Model of Imposed Geometry) which has being used in the last years for the calculation of the load support capacity of the flexible membranes made of diagonal wire rope net. The distributed load tests results had demonstrated that the TECCO® Mesh G-65 installed under cylindrical pattern conditions, reaches load support capacity values under working conditions up to 35–40 kN/m2 for 3.0 mm wire diameter and 40–60 kN/m2 for 4.0 mm wire diameter depending on the distance between the reinforcement cables and with a safety factor equal or greater than 2.
The wire rope nets, as a flexible membrane for surface support in the slope stabilization applications have been using in the last 10–12 years. Initially they were used for surface support combined with a slope reinforcement with passive steel bars ("nailing" in grids of 3×3 to 4×4 m generally) and later, since 1996 their employment was enlarged to systems with active anchors, technology developed by the author of the present work. The objective of the present paper is to present the results of the study of the new membrane made of high strength steel wire, the rhomboidal mesh TECCO® G-65.
The flexible system for ground support is defined as the group of elements that mainly consist in a high tensile strength membrane, that is able to continually receive or to apply pressure to the ground surface and transmit it to the anchorage group and from here, to the stable zone of the slope, under any conditions in soil or weathered and fractured rock.
