Recently, the results of the Tibet Autonomous Region Science and Technology Awards were officially announced. The project titled “Key Technologies and Equipment for HighEnergy Rockfall Investigation and Prevention in Complex Tectonic Environments,” led by China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group Co., Ltd. and jointly completed by Sichuan Ost Slope Protection Engineering Co., Ltd., Chengdu University of Technology, Jingchuang Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., and other organizations, was awarded the First Prize of the 2024–2025 Tibet Autonomous Region Science and Technology Award.

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its surrounding areas are characterized by intense tectonic activity, extreme topographic relief, and superimposed freeze-thaw and seismic effects. High-energy rockfall hazards occur frequently and pose high disaster risks, making them one of the core challenges for the construction and safe operation of major engineering projects on the plateau. Focusing on the special geological conditions of complex tectonic environments, this project systematically carried out technical research on rockfall failure mechanisms, refined investigation and evaluation methods, and high-energy protection equipment. It has established a comprehensive innovation system covering theoretical research, technical equipment, and engineering applications, providing key technical support for geological hazard prevention in plateau regions.

As a core participating unit in the project, Ost has deep expertise in the development of high-altitude, high-energy rockfall protection systems and testing equipment, and made critical contributions to the project’s key innovative achievements:

I. Pioneering an Integrated “Interception-Guidance-Diversion” Flexible Protection System

To address the high energy and strong impact of high-potential rockfalls, and based on the large-deformation impact load theory for flexible structures, we have developed a range of rockfall protection systems, including curtain-type flexible protection systems, diversion and distribution protection systems, and flexible interception protection systems. Together, these form a comprehensive protection system that combines “upstream energy dissipation, mid-stream trajectory control and diversion, and downstream interception and buffering.” This system breaks through the energy-level limitations of traditional protective structures and effectively solves the challenges of high-energy rockfall prevention in complex working conditions such as tunnel portals and narrow valleys.

II. Establishing a Nation-Leading Flexible Protection Testing and Inspection System

We took the lead in building China’s first high-energy rockfall impact test platform, and developed specialized testing equipment including a flexible metal mesh puncture resistance tester, a horizontal tensile tester, and a dynamic impact test rig for energy dissipating devices. On this basis, we established the country’s first rockfall impact test method and evaluation system for railway slope flexible passive protection products, providing key technical support for industry product inspection and standard setting.

This award is a strong recognition of the collaborative innovation achievements of the project team (industry-university-research) and a full affirmation of our company’s technical R&D and engineering application capabilities in the field of slope protection. Looking ahead, Ost will continue to focus on tackling complex geological disaster prevention technologies, driven by independent innovation, and contribute more technical strength to the safety assurance of major national infrastructure projects.