CRASH TEST OF TEXAS T202 BRIDGE RAIL. INTERIM REPORT

The Texas Type T202 concrete bridge rail is an extremely popular bridge rail in the state of Texas. The T202 rail consists of a concrete beam element 10 in. (25.4 cm) wide by 14 in. (35.6 cm) deep, mounted 27 in. (68.6 cm) high on concrete posts located 10 ft (3 m) apart, center-to-center spacing. The concrete posts are 7 in. (19 cm) thick by 5 ft (1.5 m) long concrete walls with 5 ft (1.5 m) openings between them. The beam element provides flexibility thus minimizing the need for frequent joints to control cracking. Thus, the T202 rail can be placed in long continuous lengths (up to 200 ft or more), giving good structural continuity and strength. In 1979 the Modified T202 bridge rail (the T202 with an aluminum rail on top), was successfully crash tested with an 1,800 lb Honda at 59.4 mph (95.6 km/hr) and a 15 degree angle. The aluminum rail on top never contacted the Honda and thus had no influence on the test results. In order to qualify the T202 bridge rail for use on federal aid highways, it had to be crash tested with a 4,500 lb (2,045 kg) car at 60 mph (96.6 km/hr) and a 25 degree angle. This report briefly summarizes the results of the Honda test conducted in 1979 and also presents the results of the 4,500 lb (2,045 kg) car at 60 mph (96.6 km/hr) and a 25 degree angle. The bridge rail contained and smoothly redirected the test vehicle. This test and the Honda test met all the safety evaluation criteria of NCHRP Report 230.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Research study title: Crash Test of Modified C202 Bridge Rail.
• Corporate Authors:

  Texas Transportation Institute

  Texas A&M University System, 1600 E Lamar Boulevard
  Arlington, TX  United States  76011

  Texas State Department of Highways & Public Transportation

  Transportation Planning Division, P.O. Box 5051
  Austin, TX  United States  78763

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Hirsch, T J
  • Buth, C E
  • Campise, W L
  • Kaderka, D
• Publication Date: 1989-5

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References;
• Pagination: 48 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge railings; Crash tests; Crashes; Impact; Speed; Test vehicles; Testing
• Uncontrolled Terms: Impact angle; Impact speed; Redirection
• Old TRIS Terms: Test results
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Research; Safety and Human Factors; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00491890
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/TX88/89/1179-2F, Res Rept 1179-2F, TTI2-5-88/89-1179-2F
• Contract Numbers: Study 2-5-88/89-1179
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Mar 31 1991 12:00AM