The RXE family covers MEL values from 500 to 12,500 kJ (EAD 340059 classes 2 to 8) with ring net, U-brakes and HEA/RRW posts; its retaining-rope design gives low elongation, and it is used on tight lines close to infrastructure. Data from the manufacturer’s technical table.
What it does
RXE is Geobrugg's barrier family with retaining ropes, developed for the high energy classes. Part of the energy is absorbed by the elastic-plastic deformation of the net and most of it by the U-brake elements; ring net (ROCCO) panels hang from the support ropes. The manufacturer defines the family's distinguishing feature as low elongation: in the same energy class the line can be installed closer to the protected asset. From RXE-500 to RXE-3000 the posts arrive pre-assembled with the net bundles.
RXE barriers are Geobrugg AG products; the survey, class selection, installation and acceptance inspection are ours.
Technical data
From the manufacturer's brochure table (Geobrugg AG, EN.170808, 2017). Current ETA and declaration of performance values are added to the quotation file; if the two documents disagree, the current DoP applies.
| Property | RXE-500 | RXE-1000 | RXE-2000 | RXE-3000 | RXE-5000 | RXE-8000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy class (ETA / FOEN; the FOEN value is on the 1–9 scale of the former Swiss guideline, withdrawn in 2018) | 2 / 3 (500 kJ) | 3 / 5 (1,000 kJ) | 5 / 7 (2,000 kJ) | 6 / 8 (3,000 kJ) | 8 / 9 (5,000 kJ) | 8 / 9 (8,000 kJ) |
| ETA no. (current, EOTA 24 Sep 2026) | 15/0025 · 15/0622 | 13/0225 | 13/1047 | 14/0362 | 17/0948 (V2) | 12/0213 withdrawn; current 25/0896 (V2) |
| Ring net type (ROCCO) | 7/3/350 | 7/3/300 | 12/3/350 | 16/3/350 | 16/3/350 | 19/3/300 |
| Wire Ø / ring Ø | 3 mm / 350 mm | 3 mm / 300 mm | 3 mm / 350 mm | 3 mm / 350 mm | 3 mm / 350 mm | 3 mm / 300 mm |
| Rope Ø | 12 / 18 mm | 16 / 22 mm | 16 / 22 mm | 16 / 22 mm | 20 / 22 mm | 22 mm |
| Post type | HEA | HEA | HEA | HEA | HEA / RRW | RRW |
| Post spacing | 6 – 12 m | 6 – 12 m | 8 – 12 m | 8 – 12 m | 8 – 12 m | 8 – 12 m |
| Standard heights | 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 m | 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 m | 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 m | 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 m | 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 m | 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 10.5 m |
| ETAG 027 approved height | 3 – 5 m | 4 – 5 m | 5 – 6 m | 5 – 6 m | 6 – 7 m | 7 – 8 m |
| FOEN certified height | 3 – 4.5 m | 4 – 6 m | 5 – 7.5 m | 5 – 7.5 m | 6 – 9 m | 7 – 10.5 m |
| Maximum elongation (ETAG 027) | 3.60 m | 4.36 m | 5.80 m | 6.97 m | 8.15 m | 8.45 m |
| Residual height (after MEL) | > 50 %, cat. A | > 50 %, cat. A | > 50 %, cat. A | > 50 %, cat. A | > 50 %, cat. A | > 50 %, cat. A |
The ETA row has been corrected against EOTA's current ETA database (24 September 2026); the other rows of the table are from the 2017 brochure. The brochure gave 11/0305 for the RXE-5000; the current RXE-5000 V2 holds ETA 17/0948 (MEL 5,000 kJ, SEL 1,667 kJ, certified heights 6.0 – 7.0 m). The RXE-8000 ETA (12/0213) is no longer in the current list; its successor RXE-8000 V2 (RXE-8450) holds ETA 25/0896: MEL 8,450 kJ, SEL 2,667 kJ, certified heights 7.0 – 8.0 m. The family also includes the RXE-10000 V2: ETA 17/0947, MEL 10,398 kJ, SEL 3,359 kJ, certified heights 7.0 – 8.0 m. Values from the manufacturer's declarations of performance.
The ring net notation is "wire windings per ring / wire diameter / ring diameter". Class 8 is open-ended: the 5,000, 8,000 and 12,500 kJ systems sit in the same class and the actual MEL value is written in the document (example: the RXE-8000 V2 (RXE-8450) declaration of performance gives MEL 8,450 kJ, SEL 2,667 kJ, residual height cat. A).
RXE-12500 V2 (2026)
The highest-energy member of the family was certified with an ETA in 2026. Values from the manufacturer's declaration of performance (1301-CPR-2580, 15 January 2026) and technical data sheet (5 February 2026):
| Property | RXE-12500 V2 |
|---|---|
| Energy class (EAD 340059 / FOEN) | 8 / 9 |
| MEL / SEL | 12,500 kJ / 4,232 kJ |
| ETA no. | 25/0968 |
| Test layout | vertical drop |
| Kinetic energy of the block / total absorbed energy in the test | 12,510 kJ / 14,862 kJ |
| Residual height | cat. A: 4.86 m (70 %) after MEL, 5.45 m (75 %) after SEL |
| Elongation (MEL / SEL) | 6.16 m / 3.87 m |
| Tested height / certified heights (ETA) | 7.0 m / 7.0 – 8.0 m |
| Post spacing | 8 – 12 m |
| Characteristic anchor force (upslope / lateral) | 285 kN / 285 kN |
There is no Swiss FOEN certificate for this model; the FOEN class 9 in the data sheet is for information.
Components
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Ring net (ROCCO) | Catches the block; number and diameter of rings by class |
| Support and retaining ropes | Connect the net to the posts and anchors; the retaining rope limits elongation |
| U-brake | Linear energy dissipation on the rope; stainless steel body, accessible for inspection and maintenance |
| Post (HEA section or RRW tube) | Carries the net surface; sits hinged on the base plate |
| Base plate and anchor | Transfers the force into the ground; bar anchor (FLEX head) or spiral rope anchor |
Selection
The class is chosen from the design energy that comes out of the block size distribution measured on site and the trajectory analysis; the height from the 95 % fractile of the bounce height. If the distance between the line and the protected asset is smaller than the maximum elongation, a type with lower elongation or a different line position, further from the asset, is needed. For a first estimate, the energy class tool (Turkish); for class definitions, the rockfall barriers page.
Acceptance and maintenance
At the end of installation, rope ends, number and torque of clips, braking elements, net-to-rope connections and anchor heads are accepted against a checklist; the result is written on the line's barrier tag. After an impact an opened braking element is replaced and the material in the net is emptied; the steps are on the inspection, maintenance and service life page.
Sources: Geobrugg AG, "RXE rockfall protection barriers from 500 to 8000 kJ", EN.170808; ETAG 027; Geobrugg DoP RXE-8000 V2 (11 December 2025).