Design and evaluation of an energy-absorbing, reusable roadside/median barrier.

PDFTech ReportTRP-03-317-15NDOR DPU-STWD (94)Median barriersEnergy absorbing materialsDynamic testsImpact testsPrecast concreteRubberSteelHighway safetyEvaluationDesignSimulationUnited StatesNebraska. Dept. of RoadsSchmidt, Jennifer D.Faller, Ronald K.Reid, John D.Lechtenberg, Karla A.Rosenbaugh, Scott K.Bielenberg, Robert W.Holloway, Jim C.Kohtz, Justine E.Midwest Roadside Safety FacilityUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationUS Transportation CollectionFurther design and evaluation was conducted on an energy-absorbing, restorable and reusable roadside/median barrier,designated the RESTORE barrier. A series of dynamic component tests were conducted on 11\u215d-in. (295-mm) tall x 10-in.(254-mm) wide x 15\ube-in. (400-mm) long rubber posts to characterize their energy-absorption properties. A hybrid precastconcrete beam and steel tube rail was optimized to meet the design criteria for the new system. Several concrete beamsplices were evaluated using LS-DYNA to add continuity to the concrete beam segments.A 240-ft (73-m) barrier model was created, and the barrier performance was evaluated with TL-4 impacts with the 1100C,2270P, and 10000S vehicle models. The 1100C and 2270P vehicle models were successfully captured and redirected, whilethe 10000S single-unit truck demonstrated likelihood to be contained by the barrier and began to redirect. The occupant riskvalues for the passenger vehicle impacts were up to 28 percent lower than what occurred in a comparable simulated impactinto a rigid concrete barrier. The full-scale system was installed, and the stability of the system was evaluated. The finaldesign is recommended for full-scale crash testing according to the MASH TL-4 criteria