Optimization of Thrie Beam Terminal End Shoe Connection

Terminal thrie end shoes connect nested thrie beams to parapets or other bridge rail structure to provide a robust connectivity between a transition section and a rigid railing section. When connecting terminal end shoe to thrie beam transitions, the thrie section profile results in shifting of the connecting slots. This can result in slots misalignment, which makes installation and maintenance difficult. Multiple field adjustments are known to be used to fit the end shoe to the beam. Such methods include hammering drift pins to deform the metal, or torching or grinding away the interring material, all of which may compromise the integrity of the rail element. The goal of this project is to evaluate existing end shoe design and develop design improvements that will reduce or eliminate the need for field adjustments.