Effects of Embedment Depth, Soil Properties, and Post-Type on the Performance of Highway Guardrail Post

摘要

The objective of the study was to determine if the current guardrail design could be modified to achieve the necessary strength when full post embedment could not be achieved. The purpose of the report was to assess the effects of post type, soil conditions, and embedment depth on the load-deformation characteristics of the guardrail post. With this information, it is believed that a successful guardrail can be designed using more post with less than the full 38 in. embedment. A series of static load tests were conducted on timber and steel posts embedded in two different soils to determine the effects of post type, soil conditions, and embedment depth on the amount of energy dissipated by the soil. The results of these field tests were used to verify a mathematical model which could be used to predict guardrail post load capacity.