The GBE family consists of certified flexible barriers from 100 kJ to 5,000 kJ: TECCO mesh or ring net, top and bottom support ropes, V-shaped upslope retaining ropes and lateral anchor ropes with braking elements. Data for the GBE-100A-R and GBE-1000A V2 come from the manufacturer’s documents; other types are quoted with their documents.
What it does
GBE is Geobrugg's family of flexible barriers; the certified types range from 100 kJ (GBE-100A-R) to 5,000 kJ (GBE-5000A V2, ETA 25/0107, 29 May 2025). The manufacturer's comparison chart separates types without retaining ropes (fewest components, low energy) from types with retaining ropes; for high energy and tight space the RXE family stands out with its low elongation. Which family is chosen depends on the measured design energy and on the distance between the line and the protected asset, not on the product name.
Components (layout of the system drawing)
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Posts (S1 … Sn) | Hinged on the base plate; carry the net surface; spacing 6 – 12 m |
| Net | By type, high-tensile steel wire mesh (GBE-1000A V2: TECCO G80/4) or ring net; secondary mesh for small stones |
| Top and bottom support ropes | Carry the net between the posts; at the ends they connect to the lateral anchor ropes |
| Upslope retaining ropes | Two ropes in a V from each post head to the upslope anchor midway between neighbouring posts; characteristic anchor force 100 kN for the GBE-1000A V2 |
| Lateral anchor ropes and braking elements | At both ends of the line they connect the support ropes to the lateral anchors; the braking element (U type) sits on these ropes; characteristic lateral anchor force 150 kN for the GBE-1000A V2 |
The type drawing on the tag page of an installed line is drawn to this layout (barrier tag).
Technical data
| Property | GBE-100A-R | GBE-1000A V2 |
|---|---|---|
| Energy class (ETA / FOEN) | 0 / 1 (100 kJ) | 3 / 3 |
| Test energy | — | Block kinetic energy 1,001 kJ; 1,264 kJ absorbed until the block came to a complete stop |
| ETA no. / CE | ETA 15/0304 · 1301-CPR-1117 | ETA 09/0262 · 1301-CPR-0573 |
| Test set-up | Vertical drop | Vertical drop; test height 4.0 m |
| Net | TECCO G80/4 (4 mm, 80 mm mesh) | TECCO G80/4 |
| Rope Ø | 12 / 14 mm | In the system drawing 3 × WRC 9/16" and 5/8", 4 × WRC 3/4" |
| Post type and spacing | RRW / HEA; 6 – 12 m | 6 – 12 m |
| Standard heights | 2 / 2.5 / 3 m | 3 / 4 / 5 m |
| ETAG 027 / ETA approved height | 2 – 2.5 m | 4 – 5 m |
| FOEN certified height | 2 – 3 m | 4 – 6 m |
| Maximum elongation | 2.45 m | MEL 8.54 m · SEL 5.18 m |
| Residual height | > 50 %, cat. A | After MEL 2.34 m (61 %, cat. A) · after SEL 2.71 m (70 %) |
GBE-100A-R data come from the manufacturer's 2017 brochure and the declaration of performance dated 26 September 2024; GBE-1000A V2 data from the technical data sheet dated 12 August 2025 (system drawing D146717). No SEL test is required in class 0. Data for the other GBE types are taken from the manufacturer's current document and stated in the quotation.
Where it is chosen
- Road cuts and short slopes, when the measured design energy stays within the family's certified range.
- Small blocks, frequent events: the class whose SEL covers the design energy is chosen; the barrier stays in service after the first impact without repair.
- When the distance to buildings and infrastructure is greater than the maximum elongation (MEL elongation 8.54 m for the GBE-1000A V2); otherwise the line position or the family changes.
Class definitions and selection steps are on the rockfall barriers page; for a first estimate, the energy class tool (Turkish).
Acceptance and maintenance
At acceptance, rope ends, number and torque of clips, braking elements, net connections and anchor heads are checked against the manufacturer's list; the result is entered on the line's barrier tag. Periodic and post-event inspection: inspection, maintenance and service life.
Sources: Geobrugg AG technical data sheet GBE-1000A V2 (12 August 2025); Geobrugg AG RXE brochure EN.170808 (GBE-100A-R column); Geobrugg DoP GBE-100A-R (26 September 2024); ETA 25/0107 (GBE-5000A V2); ETAG 027.