Numerical and experimental analysis of horizontal lifelines under different types of anchors and freefall height

Designing fall protection systems for falls from heights, e.g., horizontal lifelines (HLL), is a complex task due to the multitude of parameters and the variety of anchors used. This complexity makes it challenging to estimate the dynamic behavior of these systems. The purpose of this study is to conduct numerical and experimental investigations of HLL under various types of anchorages and free-fall heights. The developed numerical model is based on a simple analytical formulation and has been adapted to account for anchor flexibility. The study presents a laboratory-scale experimental set-up designed for dynamic tests to validate the numerical model. This experimental set-up has proven a valuable tool for examining the behavior of HLLs anchored to flexible support structures. The numerical method has demonstrated sufficient accuracy for rapid assessment of key parameters in HLL design.