Crash Tests of Light-Post Thrie-Beam Traffic Barriers

摘要

Thrie-beam corrugated steel rail (a W-beam with a third corrugation) was tested as a single-rail upgrading for discontinuous bridge rail panels, and on S 3x5.7 posts as a guiderail and double-faced median barrier. Tests were performed to determine rail deflection characteristics, structural adequacy, vehicle decelerations, and vehicle damage. Ten gage thrie-beam was used for all tests. As a bridge-rail upgrading, it was suitable for 60-mph, 25 degree impacts by 4500-lb vehicles. As a guiderail or median barrier on S 3x5.7 posts, it appears suitable as a longitudinal barrier, based on tests with 2250- and 3500-lb vehicles. Proposed design deflections for thrie-beam guiderails and median barriers are close to those for box-beam guiderails and median barriers. Further testing of these guiderail and median barrier designs would yield better definition of impact and redirection characteristics and better indicate what actions could be taken to reduce wheel-post impact.