Experimental and Analytical Study of a Welded Steel Wire Mesh for Anti-Falling Debris Protection System

Prevention and safety of protection systems against debris falling from ceilings are gathering increasing interest in the engineering community. The design of an adequate protection system can prevent severe damage and human losses. In this paper, the use of welded steel wire meshes as system against debris falling from ceiling, in retrofitting and repairing interventions, is investigated. The behaviour of galvanized steel wire meshes as system against debris falling is experimentally and analytically analysed in the case of diaphragms realised with concrete joists and interposed bricks, which represent a typical solution for existing reinforced concrete or masonry buildings, for both public and residential use. Firstly, the main outcomes of an experimental test carried out at the University of Parma are described. Secondly, a simplified analytical method is presented to evaluate the resistance of such a ceiling protection system subjected to uniformly distributed load. Finally, the suitability of the analytical method for design and verification purposes is demonstrated.