Low-Maintenance, Energy-Absorbing Bridge Rail

摘要

A low-maintenance, energy-absorbing bridge rail has been developed for use in high traffic volume situation where the cost of repairing conventional bridge rails has become prohibitively expansive. The new bridge rail is designed to meet or exceed current bridge rail design guidelines. The new bridge rail incorporates structural steel tube railings and posts and high strength rubber energy absorbers. The new bridge rail is designed to be installed on new or existing standard bridge decks. Results of crash tests show that the bridge rail can smoothly redirect a 4500 lb (2043 kg) automobile impacting with a velocity of 60 mph (96.6 km/hr) and an angle of 25 degrees and remain in service with no maintenance. If exposed to a more severe impact, the bridge rail may have to be repaired, but the bridge deck will remain undamaged. Finally, the new energy-absorbing rail occupies less bridge deck area than conventional bridge rails.