Evaluation of the Effect of Wood Quality on W-beam Guardrail Performance
REPORT NUMBER
TRP-03-060-96
AUTHORS
John Rohde, John Reid, Dean Sicking
PUBLICATION DATE
1995-11-01
ABSTRACT
Due to the failure of an independent testing laboratory to accurately grade wood guardrail posts, the Nebraska Department of Roads has installed a large number of posts of unknown quality. This study was undertaken to determine the quality of these posts and to determine their effect on the performance of guardrail installations in the State. Results of the grading, static and dynamic testing, and simulation study has shown that the posts installed, while not meeting the salient Nebraska specifications, meet or exceed the nationally accepted criteria.
KEYWORDS
Guardrail posts, dynamic testing, grading