Concrete Median Barrier Connection Corrosion in the United States: Experience and Future Directions

Precast (or portable) Concrete Barrier (PCB) is a barrier system that when placed along a roadway median or shoulder is intended to contain and redirect a vehicle which 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 work discussed in this paper sought 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. This review found a number of different designs are currently in use, but only a limited portion of literature focused on connection systems or corrosion / replacement of in-service barriers. A survey of transportation agencies regarding experience with precast concrete barriers, corrosion of connection systems, approaches to rating/ranking corrosion and current practices for maintenance and replacement found that most agencies have not done a great deal in terms of corrosion with their PCB connection systems. Based on the findings of the literature review and survey, potential strategies for prioritizing barrier replacement are identified and discussed.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AHD45 Corrosion.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Veneziano, David
  • Li, Yongxin
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 94th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2015-1-11 to 2015-1-15
• Date: 2015

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; Photos; References;
• Pagination: 17p
• Monograph Title: TRB 94th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Corrosion; Literature reviews; Maintenance; Median barriers; Precast concrete; Structural connection; Surveys; Transportation departments
• Uncontrolled Terms: Replacement strategies
• Geographic Terms: United States
• Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Terminals and Facilities; I60: Maintenance; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01554084
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 15-1276
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Feb 25 2015 10:23AM