Development of Low-Deflection Precast Concrete Barrier

The high lateral dynamic deflection of some current Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) portable concrete barriers renders them inappropriate for deployment in areas with restricted work space. Under this project, a new precast concrete traffic barrier system with limited deflection was developed through a program of simulation and full-scale crash testing. Based on the results of the testing and evaluation reported herein, the new cross-bolt, F-shape, precast concrete traffic barrier is considered suitable for implementation on high-speed roadways. The low barrier deflection [19 in. (483 mm)] and ease of placement and repair make the cross-bolt F-shape barrier well suited for use as a work zone barrier. The weight of the 30-ft (9.1-m) F-shape barrier segments was determined to be approximately 13,680 lb (6205 kg). Because this is less than the weight of the current New Jersey-shaped barriers used by TxDOT, implementation of the new barrier will not require any changes to current barrier transportation, handling, and placement procedures.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Project Title: Evaluation of Barrier Systems and Placement Issues.
• Corporate Authors:

  Texas Transportation Institute

  Texas A&M University System, 3135 TAMU
  College Station, TX  United States  77843-3135

  Texas Department of Transportation

  Research and Technology Implementation Office, P.O. Box 5080
  Austin, TX  United States  78763-5080

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Bligh, Roger P
  • Sheikh, Nauman M
  • Menges, Wanda L
  • Haug, Rebecca R
• Publication Date: 2005-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Appendices; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 64p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Barriers (Roads); Crash tests; Deflection; Portable equipment; Precast concrete; Temporary barriers; Work zone traffic control
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Research; Safety and Human Factors; I73: Traffic Control; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01000932
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/TX-05/0-4162-3, Technical Report 0-4162-3
• Contract Numbers: Project 0-4162
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jun 13 2005 4:57PM