EVALUATION OF CONCRETE SAFETY SHAPES BY CRASH TESTS WITH HEAVY VEHICLES

Three crash tests were made to evaluate concrete median barriers at speeds of approximately 70 and 90 km/h (45 and 55 mph) and angles of approximately 7 and 16 degrees with an 18 000-kg(40 000-lb) intercity bus. The 61.0-m (20-ft) long installation was cast in place and reinforced with one number 4 bar placed 150 mm (6 in)below the barrier top. The freestanding barrier was restrained by a 25-mm (1-in) layer of asphalt placed at the installation bottom on the side opposite the impact. The results of the program include the following: The safety shape performed well at the lower angle impacts with no barrier distress or translation. The severe test (an impact speed of 85.1 km/h (52.9 mph) and an impact angle of 16 degrees) showed that the concrete safety shape with minimum reinforcement and foundation restraint can redirect large vehicles at high impact speeds and angles. In the severe test, the rear-end impact during redirection was the principal cause of the extensive barrier damage and displacement. /Author/

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1977/631/631-016.pdf
• Record URL:
  https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=EVALUATION+OF+CONCRETE+SAFETY+SHAPES+BY+CRASH+TESTS+WITH+HEAVY+VEHICLES&author=E.+Wiles&author=M.+Bronstad&author=C.+Kimball&publication_year=1977
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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
• Authors:
  • Wiles, E O
  • Bronstad, M E
  • Kimball, C E
• Publication Date: 1977

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Photos; References;
• Pagination: pp 87-91
• Monograph Title: Geometrics, water treatment, utility practices, safety appurtenances, and outdoor advertisement
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 631
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Angularity; Barriers (Roads); Buses; Concrete; Crash tests; Crashes; Heavy vehicles; Median barriers; Rear end crashes; Safety; Speed; Testing
• Uncontrolled Terms: Angles; Barriers
• Subject Areas: Highways; Public Transportation; Research; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00172424
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309026563
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Apr 12 1978 12:00AM