CRASH TEST AND EVALUATION OF A PRECAST CONCRETE MEDIAN BARRIER
Median barriers are used on high-speed traffic facilities to prevent errant vehicles from crossing a median and conflicting with the opposing traffic stream. A secondary function for some designs of median barriers is to minimize the glare of opposing headlights. The cast-in- place concrete median barrier has proved to be an effective and economical barrier in Texas and other states. Investigation of the use of a precast concrete median barrier (PCMB) steemed from the interest in using a barrier to be prefabricated concurrently with roadway construction. This more effective usage of work force as well as early project conpletion and acceptance could provide measurable potential savings to both the contractor and the state. In addition, when this barrier is installed on existing facilities, the traffic may be disrupted for a considerable period of time if it is case in place. Consequently, PCMB that can be quickly installed on active facilities with a minimum period of traffic disruption is needed. For a precast concrete median barrier to function properly in redirecting vehicles, the relatively short precast sections must be adequately connected after they are placed in the highway median. Engineers of the Texas Department of Highways and Public Transportation and the Texas Transportation Institute developed working drawings for precast sections of a PCMB and two connection details. Full-scale crash tests were conducted on the PCMB and connections in order to verify the stability and strength of the installation. /Author/
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Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03611981
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Supplemental Notes:
- Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Safety Appurtenances. 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.
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Authors:
- Hirsch, T J
- Marquis, E L
- Nixon, John F
- Hustace, David
- Publication Date: 1976
Media Info
- Media Type: Digital/other
- Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
- Pagination: pp 21-25
- Monograph Title: Photogrammetry, water quality, safety appurtenances, and shoulder design
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Serial:
- Transportation Research Record
- Issue Number: 594
- Publisher: Transportation Research Board
- ISSN: 0361-1981
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Crash tests; Crashes; Glare; Headlamps; Median barriers; Precast concrete; Stability (Mechanics); Strength of materials; Testing
- Old TRIS Terms: Barrier design
- Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Materials; Research; Safety and Human Factors;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00148944
- Record Type: Publication
- ISBN: 030902563X
- Files: TRIS, TRB
- Created Date: Apr 13 1977 12:00AM