This dissertation contributes to the improvement of the predictive accuracy of the impact capacity of rockfall protection galleries and to the establishment of a performance-based design procedure for these structures. Furthermore, it facilitates the understanding of the dynamic response of cushion layers and slabs subjected to impact loading. A numerical method using explicit finite element analyses is proposed in this study in order to investigate the dynamic response of reinforced concrete rockfall protection galleries. The applicability of the method to predict the response of slabs covered by soil is verified by comparison with suitable experimental data.