Author(s):
N.M. Sheikh, R.P. Bligh, W.L. Menges
Publication Date
March 2008
Abstract
The TxDOT Roadway Design Manual currently suggests that concrete barrier not be placed on slopes steeper than 10H:1V. This suggestion has limited the placement of concrete barriers to narrow, flat, paved medians or at the edge of the shoulder. Based on the results of full-scale crash testing, researchers determined that TxDOT's cast-in-place permanent F- shape barrier and the precast free-standing X-bolt F-shape barrier are suitable for placement on roadside and median foreslopes of 6H:1V or less. Additionally, these barriers are suitable to be placed at any lateral offset from the roadway edge, and for any width of depressed V-ditch median as long as the barrier is placed at its center. Further, similar or better performance would be expected for barrier placement on more gentle (e.g., 8H:1V) slopes. Increasing the maximum slope on which median barriers can be placed will allow many installations to be placed further from the travelway, which in turn will most likely lead to a reduction in barrier impact frequency and severity.
Report Number:
0-5210-3
Keywords:
crash testing, F-Shape Barriers, Finite Element Analysis, median barriers, Portable Concrete Barriers, roadside safety, Roadside Slopes, Simulation
Link(s):
Document/Product
http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-5210-3.pdf
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