DYNAMIC TESTS OF METAL BEAM GUARDRAIL

The results of four vehicle impact tests into metal beam guardrail using three types of posts and blocks are reported. The then current (1971) California standard plans for metal beam guardrail required 8 by 8-in. (203 by 203-mm) nominal douglas fir posts and blocks. We wanted to determine whether smaller sized wood posts and blocks could be used and whether steel posts and blocks could be used in place of the 8 by 8-in. (203 by 203-mm) blocks to reduce guardrail costs. We also wanted to obtain another permissible post material besides wood. It was concluded that 6 by 8-in. (152 by 203-mm) nominal douglas fir wood posts and blocks were an acceptable substitute and that wide-flange 6-in. by 8.5-lb/ft (152-mm by 12.7-kg/m) steelposts and blocks could be used provided W-section backup plates were used at alternate posts where no beam splice occurred and a positive connection was used at the end-anchor cable in place of cable clips. All four tests conducted used 4,960-lb (2250-kg) passenger vehicles with nominal impact speeds and angles of 65 mph (105 km/h) and 25 deg respectively. /Author/

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1976/566/566-005.pdf
• Record URL:
  • https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=DYNAMIC+TESTS+OF+METAL+BEAM+GUARDRAIL&author=E.+Nordlin&author=J.+Stoker&author=R.+Stoughton&publication_year=1976
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Safety Appurtenances. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Authors:
  • Nordlin, E F
  • Stoker, J R
  • Stoughton, R L
• Conference:
  • 54th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board
  • Location: Washington District of Columbia
  • Date: 1975-1-13 to 1975-1-17
• Publication Date: 1976

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 44-55
• Monograph Title: Vehicle barrier systems
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 566
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aerial tramways; Automobiles; Blocks; Cable cars; Costs; Crash tests; Dynamic tests; Guardrails; Metals; Pavement base course; Posts; Wood
• Uncontrolled Terms: Anchors
• Old TRIS Terms: Bases
• Subject Areas: Design; Finance; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; Research; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00139248
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309024765
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Sep 4 1976 12:00AM