A new flexible bridge rail system, referred to as the T8 rail, was designed as a replacement for the T6 rail in high-speed applications on culverts and thin deck structures. The T8 rail failed a crash test when the breakaway posts failed the thin deck to which it was attached rather than breakaway as designed. After analysis of the test results, the system was modified in an effort to address the identified failure mechanism. The modifications included increasing the length of the breakaway slot in the tension flange of the steel support posts and incorporating a 1-inch thick offset block between the post and upper portion of the tubular thrie beam rail to raise the point of force application on the post. The impact performance of the modified T8 bridge rail system was evaluated through a full-scale crash test. The crash testing was performed in accordance with the requirements of NCHRP Report 350 Test Level 3 (TL-3).
NCHRP Report 350 Test 3-11 on the Modified T8 Bridge Rail
2009
62 pages
Report
No indication
English
Transportation Safety , Air Transportation , Structural Mechanics , Bridge rails , Concrete rails , Roadside safety , Modifications , Crash tests , Dynamic tests , Crashworthy , Crash testing , Texas , Guardrail impact tests , T8 bridge rail , Tubular Thrie Beam , Tubular W-Beam , Flexible brdige rail , Longitudinal barriers