Portable Concrete Barrier Condition and Transition Plan Synthesis

Precast (or portable) Concrete Barrier (PCB) is a guardrail system that is intended to contain and redirect a vehicle that has left the travel lane. Barrier connections are typically formed using steel wire or bar to form loops which are joined by a steel pin. While the materials used in connection systems are quite strong, exposure to the elements and winter maintenance chemicals can, over time, lead to corrosion and loss of effectiveness. The identification of such corrosion was a concern to the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), which decided that additional research should be done on this issue to determine what, if any, past research has been done regarding PCB in general, PCB connection corrosion, the maintenance of barrier connection systems, and approaches to address corrosion on existing and future installations. The research would also identify approaches that may be taken in developing and implementing a transition plan for replacing PCB if needed. This report presents a synthesis of information from past published research and reports, as well as information from a survey of transportation agencies conducted as part of this project, regarding precast concrete barriers, the corrosion of their connection systems, approaches to rating/ranking this corrosion, and current state department of transportation practices for their maintenance and replacement. Potential strategies for prioritizing barrier replacement are identified and discussed.

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• Summary URL:
  https://www.mdt.mt.gov/research/projects/safety/median.shtml
• Corporate Authors:

  Western Transportation Institute

  Montana State University, Bozeman
  P.O. Box 174250
  Bozeman, MT  United States  59717-4250

  Montana Department of Transportation

  2701 Prospect Avenue
  P.O. Box 201001
  Helena, MT  United States  59620-1001

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Veneziano, David
  • Li, Yongxin
• Publication Date: 2012-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 97p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Corrosion; Deterioration; Guardrails; Maintenance; Maintenance practices; Median barriers; Structural connection
• Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Safety and Human Factors; I60: Maintenance; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01380423
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/MT-12-002/8117-41
• Contract Numbers: 8117-41
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Aug 21 2012 5:09PM