Performance Characteristics of Posts Embedded in Soil

The primary objective of this research study was to determine the post-soil impact reaction of W6x8.5 (W150x12.6) steel posts and 6-in. x 8-in. (152-mm x 203-mm) Southern Yellow Pine (SYP) posts, specifically along the weak axis. Five bogie tests were conducted on W6x8.5 (W150x12.6) A992 steel posts with a length of 72 in. with embedment depths ranging between of 24 and 40 in. (610 and 1,016 mm). Four bogies tests were conducted on 6-in. x 8-in. (152 mm x 203 mm) SYP posts embedded at depths ranging between 30 and 40 in. (735 and 1,016 mm). The target impact conditions were an impact speed of 20 mph (32.2 km/h) and an impact angle of 0 degrees creating weak-axis bending. The posts were impacted 24⅞ in. (632 mm) above the groundline and perpendicular to the web of the post. A compacted, coarse crushed limestone material as recommended by the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) was utilized for all tests. For each test, acceleration data was used to determine force vs. displacement and energy vs. displacement and failure mechanisms of the post-soil system were noted. Conclusions and recommendations were made that pertain to the embedment depth of posts impacted along the weak axis.

• Record URL:
  • https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ndor/190
• Record URL:
  • https://dot.nebraska.gov/media/2d2pw5z1/final-report-m326-supplement.pdf
• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/39814
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  Mid-America Transportation Center

  University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  2200 Vine Street, PO Box 830851
  Lincoln, NE  United States  68583-0851

  Midwest Roadside Safety Facility

  2200 Vine Street
  130 Whittier Building
  Lincoln, NE  United States  68588-0853

  Nebraska Transportation Center

  Lincoln, NE  United States 

  University of Nebraska, Lincoln

  2200 Vine Street
  Lincoln, NE  United States  68583-0854

  Nebraska Department of Roads

  1500 Highway 2, P.O. Box 94759
  Lincoln, NE  United States  68509

  Research and Innovative Technology Administration

  University Transportation Centers Program
  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  U.S. Department of Transportation

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Humphrey, Brandt M
  • Lechtenberg, Karla A
  • Reid, John D
  • Faller, Ronald K
  • Holloway, James C
• Publication Date: 2015-8-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 79p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acceptance tests; Axial loads; Highway safety; Impact tests; Posts; Roadside structures; Soil structure interaction; Steel structures; Wood structures
• Identifier Terms: AASHTO Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware
• Subject Areas: Construction; Geotechnology; Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01705423
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: TRP-03-301-15, MATC-UNL: 057, WBS:25-1121-0003-057
• Contract Numbers: MATC No. 25-1121-0003-057; NDOR No. SPR-P1(13)M326
• Files: UTC, NTL, TRIS, RITA, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: May 23 2019 10:23AM