Citation

Wiles EO, Bronstad ME, Kimball CE. Transp. Res. Rec. 1977; 631: 87-91.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1977, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Three crash tests were made to evaluate concrete median barriers at speeds of approximately 70 and 90 km/h (45 and 55 mph) and angles of approximately 7 and 16 degrees with an 18 000-kg(40 000-lb) intercity bus. The 61.0-m (20-ft) long installation was cast in place and reinforced with one number 4 bar placed 150 mm (6 in)below the barrier top. The freestanding barrier was restrained by a 25-mm (1-in) layer of asphalt placed at the installation bottom on the side opposite the impact. The results of the program include the following: The safety shape performed well at the lower angle impacts with no barrier distress or translation. The severe test (an impact speed of 85.1 km/h (52.9 mph) and an impact angle of 16 degrees) showed that the concrete safety shape with minimum reinforcement and foundation restraint can redirect large vehicles at high impact speeds and angles. In the severe test, the rear-end impact during redirection was the principal cause of the extensive barrier damage and displacement.