DEVELOPMENT OF AN IBC MK-7 BARRIER CAPABLE OF RESTRAINING AND REDIRECTING AN 80,000-LB TRACTOR VAN-TRAILER

This paper summarizes the results of an effort to develop an International Barrier Corporation (IBC) MK-7 barrier that can contain and redirect an 80,000-lb tractor van-trailer. After evaluation of various options, the approach of using portland cement--stabilized sand as the fill material was selected. The developmental effort included laboratory testing to determine the appropriate mix for the stabilized sand fill material, computer simulation to investigate the bending moments and shear strength required for the barrier to contain and redirect various vehicle types and weights, and full-scale crash testing of the smaller IBC MK-9 barrier with automobiles to obtain baseline data for use in developing the MK-7 truck barrier. A mix of 100 lb sand, 10 lb portland cement, and 10 lb water was selected for use as the fill material for the IBC MK-7 truck barrier. The barrier was struck by an 80,000-lb tractor van-trailer at 50.9 mph and 15.0 degrees. The tractor-trailer was contained and smoothly redirected by the barrier. The tractor-trailer rolled considerably toward the barrier during the impact sequence but remained upright with the bottom of the left side of the trailer sliding on top of the barrier. The vehicle was severely damaged, but the barrier sustained only minor damage. The results of the crash test indicate that the IBC MK-7 barrier with stabilized fill material meets the guidelines set forth in NCHRP Report 230 for a high-performance truck barrier.

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1990/1258/1258-008.pdf
• Record URL:
  https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=DEVELOPMENT+OF+AN+IBC+MK-7+BARRIER+CAPABLE+OF+RESTRAINING+AND+REDIRECTING+AN+80%2C000-LB+TRACTOR+VAN-TRAILER&author=T.+Hirsch&author=K.+Mak&publication_year=1990
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1258, Roadside Safety 1990.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:
  • Hirsch, T J
  • Mak, King K
• Publication Date: 1990

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 82-91
• Monograph Title: Roadside Safety 1990
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 1258
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Barriers (Roads); Bending moments; Crash tests; Crashes; Design; Fills; Heavy vehicles; Impact; Performance evaluations; Portland cement; Sand; Shear strength; Simulation; Speed; Testing; Tractor trailer combinations
• Uncontrolled Terms: Barriers; Impact angle; Impact speed; Redirection
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Motor Carriers; Research; Safety and Human Factors; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00600571
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309050073
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Oct 31 1990 12:00AM