Crash Testing and Evaluation of Bexar Concrete Works F-Shape Concrete Traffic Barrier (CTB) with Quick-Bolt Connection

Portable concrete barriers are often used to provide positive protection for motorists and workers in a highway work zone. Most highway work zones are restricted in terms of available lateral space for accommodating traffic and the work activity. Consequently, it is desirable to minimize the deflection of work zone barriers in order to minimize the required buffer distance between the barrier and work activity area and, thereby, maximize the space and number of lanes available for traffic. Under this project, the impact performance of a new connection for portable concrete traffic barriers developed by Bexar Concrete Works I, LTD was evaluated. The new Quick-Bolt connection involves two 7/8-inch diameter threaded rods that span across the barrier joint along the vertical centerline of the barrier. During movement and transport of the barrier segments, the connection rods are stored inside bolt retraction cavities precast into the barrier ends. After placement of the barriers, the connection rods are fed across the joint into the adjacent barrier segment through PVC pipe sleeves with the aid of hand holes. The rods are secured in place with nuts and washers on each end. A barrier system comprised of 30-ft long segments of F-shape barrier attached with the Quick-Bolt connection was crash tested following the impact conditions of Test Designation 3-11 of the AASHTO Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH08). This test involves a 5,000-lb pickup impacting the critical impact location along the length of the barrier at a nominal speed of 62 mi/h and a nominal angle of 25 degrees. The F-shape barrier with Quick-Bolt connection met all of the required performance evaluation criteria. The maximum dynamic deflection of the barrier was 31.0 inches.