The report relates results of two full-scale vehicle crash tests of a five-foot-radius steel plate beam ('W' beam) end treatment developed by the Minnesota Department of Highways. The test vehicles, which weighed 2250 lbs. and 4500 lbs., were towed head-on into the end of the median rail system at 60 mph. The performance of the system was considered good in both tests. Tests of angle hits and off-center hits were not conducted. The test results confirmed several years experience with actual field installations used at obstacles in exit ramp gores, as end treatment of median rails at twin bridges and at median bridge piers on divided highways. Vehicle energy is absorbed by rail buckling and progressive post failure as the impacting vehicle inverts the U-shaped installation. Even if a break-through occurs, the severity of the secondary collision of the vehicle with the obstacle behind the guardrail is greatly reduced.
Crash Tests of Five-Foot Radius Plate Beam Guardrail
1975
51 pages
Report
Keine Angabe
Englisch
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