Portable concrete barriers (PCBs) are often used in applications in which limited deflection is desired during vehicle impacts, such as bridge decks and work zones. In an earlier study, a reduced-deflection, stiffening system was configured for use with non-anchored, F-shape PCBs and was successfully crash tested under Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) safety performance criteria. However, details and guidance for implementing this barrier system outside the length-of-need, including within transitions to other barrier systems, were not provided. The focus of this study was to develop a crashworthy transition design between the reduced-deflection, F-shape PCB system to free-standing, F-shape PCB segments using engineering analysis and LS-DYNA computer simulation. First, the continuous steel tubes in the reduced-deflection system were tapered down to the surface of the free-standing PCB segments to reduce the potential for vehicle snag. In addition, steel tube spacers were added at the base of the two joints upstream from the reduced-deflection system to increase the stiffness of adjacent free-standing PCBs. Simulations were performed to determine the critical impact points for use in a full-scale crash testing program. It was recommended that three full-scale crash tests be conducted, two tests with a 2270P pickup truck vehicle and one test with an 1100C passenger car, to evaluate the proposed design system with impacts at the recommended critical impact points.


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    Title :

    Development of Transition between Free-Standing and Reduced-Deflection Portable Concrete Barriers


    Additional title:

    Transportation Research Record




    Publication date :

    2018-05-05




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



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