Lateral Load Capacity of Posts and Footings for Metal Beam Guardrails Located Close to Slopes

摘要

The effect of the proximity of a slope on the performance of guardrail posts was investigated in centrifuge model tests. Two test series were carried out. The first involved static lateral loading of 23 individual 1/8 scale Douglass Fir Posts installed in different soil types including dry sand and a silty clay compacted at two different water contents. In the second test series four vehicle impact tests were conducted. A 1/8 scale vehicle (bogie) was launched at approximately 60 mph to impact a complete system of posts tied together with a guardrail. Two tests involved posts in compacted clay and the other two were with post in dry sand. For each soil type, two different distances from the posts to the slope were tested. High speed film recordings were analyzed to determine the effectiveness of the guardrail systems.