Acceleration and Deflection Analysis for Class C Edge Protection Systems in Construction Work
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 140, Issue 8
Abstract
The requirements for edge protection systems on most sloped work surfaces (class C, according to EN 13374-2013 code) in construction works are studied in this paper. Maximum deceleration suffered by a falling body and maximum deflection of the protection system were analyzed through finite-element models and confirmed through full-scale experiments. The aim of this work is to determine which value for deflection system entails a safe deceleration for the human body. This value is compared with the requirements given by the current version of EN 13374-2013. An additional series of experiments were done to determine the acceleration linked to minimum deflection required by code (200 mm) during the retention process. According to the obtained results, a modification of this value is recommended. Additionally, a simple design formula for this falling protection system is proposed as a quick tool for the initial steps of design.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
B. Ferrer acknowledges the support of the Generalitat Valenciana through the project GV/2013/009 and the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad through the project BIA2011-22704. The authors also acknowledge the comments and revisions of D. Mas.
References
ANSYS. (2003). ANSYS theory reference 8.1.
Bellmunt, J. J. (1985). “Notas técnicas de prevención.”, Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo (INSHT), Spain, 1–8.
Eiband, A. M. (1959). “Human tolerance to rapidly applied accelerations: A summary of the literature.”, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cleveland.
Eichhorn, S. J., Hearle, J. W. S., Jaffe, M., and Kikutani, T. (2009). Handbook of textile fibre structure: Fundamentals and manufactured polymer fibres, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.
European Committee for Standardization. (2002). “EN 1263 safety nets. Part 1: Safety requirements, test methods.”, Brussels.
European Committee for Standardization. (2004). “EN 1263 safety nets. Part 2: Safety requirements for the positioning limits.”, Brussels.
European Committee for Standardization. (2013). “EN 13374 temporary edge protection systems – product specification, test methods.”, Brussels.
Gonzalez, M. N., Cobo, A., and Fuente, J. V. (2013a). “Procurement of models for the calculation of temporary edge protection systems through the operational modal analysis technique.” Informes de la Construcción, 65(529), 99–106.
Gonzalez, M. N., Cobo, A., Fuente, J. V., Bresó, S., and Lozano, C. (2010). “Behaviour under static loads of temporary edge protection systems built with steel elements.” Informes de la Construcción, 63(521), 57–67.
Gonzalez, M. N., Cobo, A., Lozano, C., and Bresó, S. (2013b). “Behaviour of temporary edge protection system of high density polyethylene tested to static and impact load.” Materiales de Construcción, 63(310), 283–296.
González, A., and Ríos, F. (2002). “Efectos de las aceleraciones positivas en el organismo humano.” Medicina Aerospacial y Ambiental, 3(5), 222–231.
Lawrence, C., Fasanella, E. L., Tabiei, A., Brinkley, J. W., and Shemwell, D. M. (2008). “The use of a vehicle acceleration exposure limit model and a finite element crash test dummy model to evaluate the risk of injures during Orion crew module landings.”, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cleveland.
McKenney, W. R. (1970). “Human tolerance to abrupt accelerations: A summary of the literature.” Dynamic Science Rep., AvSER Facility, Phoenix, AZ, 70–13.
Paureau, J. (1987). “Filets carrés de sécurité en grandes nappes en polyamide 6. Performances. Règles de pose.” Institut Nacional de Recherche et Sécurité, Vandoeuvre-les-Nacy, France.
Paureau, J., Parisot, E., and Schuler, B. (1989). “Filets en grandes nappes. Eficacité, performances, règles de pose.” Cahiers de notes documentaires, 137, 655–675.
Pomares, J. C., Ferrer, B., Mas, D., Lozano, C., Bresó, S., and Irles, R. (2012). “Experimental measure of impact in temporary handrails.” WIT Trans. Built Environ., 126, 121–132.
Pomares, J. C., Segovia, E. G., and Irles, R. (2011). “Personal protection rails for strong impacts.” IV Safety and security engineering, WIT Press, Southampton, U.K., 277–287.
Segovia, E., Irles, R., González, A., Maciá, A., and Pomares, J. C. (2007). “The vertical safety nets in building-construction II.” Informes de la Construcción, 59(505), 37–51.
Sulowski, A. C. (2006). “How good is the 8kN maximum arrest force limit in industrial fall arrest system?” Int. Symp. Fall Protection – IFPS’06, International Society for Fall Protection (ISFP), Miamisburg, OH.
Voshell, M. (2004). “High acceleration and the human body.” 〈http://csel.eng.ohio-state.edu/voshell/gforce.pdfLasttime〉 (Nov. 27, 2013).
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 140 • Issue 8 • August 2014
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 3, 2013
Accepted: Mar 18, 2014
Published online: May 9, 2014
Published in print: Aug 1, 2014
Discussion open until: Oct 9, 2014
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.