Development of a New Energy-Absorbing Roadside/Median Barrier System with Restorable Elastomer Cartridges

A Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) Test Level 4 (TL-4) energy-absorbing, urban roadside/median barrier was developed to reduce lateral vehicle accelerations below those observed during similar crashes into permanent concrete barriers. Several types of energy absorbers were evaluated for use in this barrier. Elastic polymers, or elastomers, have superior restorability, reusability, compressibility, and resistance to environmental effects. Finite element analysis simulations were used to further study the energy absorption and deflection of conical-shaped, cylindrical-shaped, and shear fender elastomer shapes. Component tests were conducted on rubber cylinders and marine shear fenders. The proposed design consisted of an open concrete rail with shear fender rubber posts that are anchored to a concrete foundation. The precast concrete beams measured 22 in. (559 mm) wide, 20 in. (508 mm) tall, and 20 ft (6.1 m) long and were spliced on top of 16-in. (406-mm) high, 14-in. (356-mm) wide, and 22-in. (559-mm) long shear fender posts, which were spaced at 10 ft (3 m) on center. Finite element analysis simulations also demonstrated that lateral vehicle accelerations were reduced by up to 33 percent for a MASH TL-4 small car impact into the new barrier as compared to a rigid concrete barrier. Simulations also demonstrated that the new barrier had adequate capacity to contain the MASH TL-4 single-unit truck. The cost of the barrier was estimated to be $175/ft ($574/m). The barrier should be further evaluated using finite element simulations and full-scale crash testing.

• Record URL:
  http://www.transportation.nebraska.gov/mat-n-tests/research/docs/DevelopmentofaNewEnergy-Absorbing.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Nebraska, Lincoln

  Midwest Roadside Safety Facility
  2200 Vine Street, Whittier Building
  Lincoln, NE  United States  68583-0853

  Nebraska Department of Roads

  1500 Highway 2
  Lincoln, NE  United States  68502

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Schmidt, Jennifer D
  • Faller, Ronald K
  • Sicking, Dean L
  • Reid, John D
  • Lechtenberg, Karla A
  • Bielenberg, Robert W
  • Rosenbaugh, Scott K
  • Holloway, Jim C
• Publication Date: 2013-7-16

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 248p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Deflection tests; Elastomers; Energy absorption; Finite element method; Highway safety; Median barriers; Rubber; Simulation
• Identifier Terms: AASHTO Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; Safety and Human Factors; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01494598
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: TRP-03-281-13
• Contract Numbers: NDOR DPU-STWD (94)
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Sep 25 2013 2:46PM