Development of a Test Level 3 Transition Between Guardrail and Portable Concrete Barriers

Authors

Robert W. Bielenberg, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
David Gutierrez, Gyrodata, Inc., Houston, TX
Ronald K. Faller, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
John D. Reid, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Phil Tenhulzen, Nebraska Department of RoadsFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2017

Citation

Published in Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 2638 (2017), pp 77–87.

doi 10.3141/2638-09

Comments

Published by SAGE Publications. Used by permission.

Abstract

Road construction often requires that work zones be created and shielded by portable concrete barriers (PCBs) to protect workers and equipment from errant vehicles as well as to prevent motorists from striking other roadside hazards. For an existing W-beam guardrail system installed adjacent to the roadway and near the work zone, guardrail sections are removed so a PCB system can be placed. A study was done to develop a crashworthy transition between W-beam guardrail and PCB systems. Design concepts were developed and refined through computer simulation with LS-DYNA. Additionally, a study of critical impact points was conducted to determine impact locations for full-scale crash testing. The design effort resulted in a new system consisting of a Midwest Guardrail System that overlapped a series of F-shape PCB segments placed at a 15:1 flare. In the overlapped region of the barrier systems, uniquely designed block-out supports and a specialized W-beam end shoe mounting bracket were used to connect the systems. Three full-scale vehicle crash tests were successfully conducted according to the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware Test Level 3 safety performance criteria. Because of the successful test results, a Test Level 3 crashworthy guardrail-to-PCB transition system is now available for protecting motorists, workers, and equipment in work zones.