Development of a Tie-Down and Transition Systems for Temporary Concrete Barrier on Asphalt Road Surfaces
REPORT NUMBER
TRP-03-180-06
AUTHORS
Bob Bielenberg, Ronald Faller, John Rohde, John Reid, Dean Sicking, Jim Holloway
PUBLICATION DATE
2007-02-23
ABSTRACT
The objective of this research was to design a tie-down system for temporary concrete barriers for use on asphalt
road surfaces, and then apply that tie-down system to the design of an approach transition from free-standing to rigid
barriers. The tie-down and transition systems were to be evaluated according to the Test Level 3 (TL-3) safety performance criteria set forth in NCHRP Report No. 350.
For the asphalt tie-down system, three steel pins were installed in holes on the front face of the barrier. The new
tie-down design was crash tested according to NCHRP Report No. 350 test designation 3-11. The test was judged
acceptable, barrier deflections were reduced, and all of the barriers in the system were safely restrained.
The approach transition to rigid barrier was developed through strategic application of the previously designed
asphalt tie-downs. Computer simulation with LS-DYNA was used to locate the critical impact point for the full-scale crash test. The system was tested according to NCHRP Report No. 350 test designation 3-21. The results showed that the vehicle was safely redirected, and the test was judged acceptable.
Recommendations regarding the application of both the tie-down and transition designs were given.
KEYWORDS
Highway Safety, Temporary Barriers, Work Zones, Longitudinal Barriers, Concrete Barriers
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