Pendulum Testing of Fixed-End W-Beam Guardrail: FOIL Test Numbers 96P001, 96P002,96P003, 96P004, 96P005 and 96P006

摘要

This report contains the test setup and results from six pendulum crash testsperformed at the Federal Outdoor Impact Lab (FOIL) located at the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center in McLean, Virginia. The tests were conducted on steel w-beam rail elements rigidly anchored at both ends (a four-post configuration). The tests were conducted as part of an ongoing research effort to obtain baseline data on the dynamic properties of standard steel w-beam in order to develop a design envelope for a fiber reinforced plastic rail element. The nominal weight of the FOIL pendulum with a rigid nose assembly was 912 kg. The tests were conducted at nominal speeds ranging from 20 km/h to 35 km/h. A 20-km/h and a 30-km/h test were conducted to observe the modified guardrail anchor cables attached to rigid anchor stanchions bolted to deep concrete foundations. These first two tests were conducted to observe their structural response before proceeding on the 35-km/h tests. Four tests were conducted at 35 km/h. Results from the tests are presented as test summaries of data, graphs of data, and photographs taken before, during, and after the tests.