MASH Test No. 3-10 of a Non-Proprietary, High-Tension, Cable Median Barrier for Use in 6H:1V V-Ditch (Test No. MWP-9)
REPORT NUMBER
TRP-03-360-18
AUTHORS
Mojdeh Asadollahipajouh, Karla Lechtenberg (Polivka), Ronald Faller, Jim Holloway, Bob Bielenberg, Scott Rosenbaugh, John Reid
PUBLICATION DATE
2018-03-30
ABSTRACT
The Midwest Pooled Fund Program has been developing a prototype design for a non-proprietary, high-tension, cable median barrier for use in a 6H:1V median V-ditch. This system incorporates four evenly spaced cables, Midwest Weak Posts (MWPs) spaced at 8 to 16 ft (2.4 to 4.9 m) intervals, and a bolted, tabbed bracket to attach the cables to each post. Full-scale crash testing was needed to evaluate the barrier’s safety performance. According to the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware 2016 (MASH) testing matrix for cable barriers installed within a 6H:1V median V-ditch, a series of eight full-scale crash tests are required to evaluate the safety performance of a system.
Several previous tests have failed due to the posts penetrating into the occupant compartment. In order to mitigate the floor pan tearing, a modified MWP was designed. Test no. MWP-9 was conducted on the modified barrier system, consisting of MWPs with ¾-in. (19-mm) diameter weakening holes at the ground line. Additionally, a two-part cap with a single retainer bolt was added to the top of the posts. The cap shielded the free edges of the MWPs during the post-to-vehicle contact. This test was conducted according to MASH 2016 test designation no. 3-10 and utilized an 1100C small car impacting the barrier on level terrain. The vehicle was contained by the system. The two-piece cap mitigated the floor pan tearing. However, one cable (cable no. 3) snagged on the cap retainer bolt and caused two cables (cable nos. 3 and 4) to become interlocked with the left-side A-pillar on the impact side of the vehicle, which resulted in excessive A-pillar crush. Therefore, test no. MWP-9 was deemed unacceptable. However, the two-part cap demonstrated that a closed-section post should be capable of mitigating floor pan tearing
Several previous tests have failed due to the posts penetrating into the occupant compartment. In order to mitigate the floor pan tearing, a modified MWP was designed. Test no. MWP-9 was conducted on the modified barrier system, consisting of MWPs with ¾-in. (19-mm) diameter weakening holes at the ground line. Additionally, a two-part cap with a single retainer bolt was added to the top of the posts. The cap shielded the free edges of the MWPs during the post-to-vehicle contact. This test was conducted according to MASH 2016 test designation no. 3-10 and utilized an 1100C small car impacting the barrier on level terrain. The vehicle was contained by the system. The two-piece cap mitigated the floor pan tearing. However, one cable (cable no. 3) snagged on the cap retainer bolt and caused two cables (cable nos. 3 and 4) to become interlocked with the left-side A-pillar on the impact side of the vehicle, which resulted in excessive A-pillar crush. Therefore, test no. MWP-9 was deemed unacceptable. However, the two-part cap demonstrated that a closed-section post should be capable of mitigating floor pan tearing
KEYWORDS
Highway Safety, Crash Test, Roadside Appurtenances, Compliance Test, MASH 2016, Longitudinal Barrier, Cable Barrier, Median Barrier, High-Tension, and 6H:1V Median V-Ditch
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