Design and Evaluation of the TxDOT F411 and T77 Aesthetic Bridge Rails (4288-1)

The objective of this project was to develop two aesthetically pleasing and crashworthy bridge rails for use by TxDOT. Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) and TxDOT worked cooperatively to conceptualize several aesthetically pleasing rail designs. Researchers performed full-scale crash tests in accordance with National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 350. A new aesthetically pleasing bridge rail, the Texas F411 successfully met the evaluation criteria in NCHRP Report 350 for Test 3-11 and is ready for implementation. The second aesthetic bridge rail developed, the Texas T77, successfully met the evaluation criteria in NCHRP Report 350 for Test 3-10. However, Test 3-11 did not meet the evaluation criteria due to the vehicle snagging at the rail splice joint and thus causing excessive occupant compartment deformation. Additional crash testing on a splice and/or rail modification will be necessary prior to implementing the Texas T77.