Phase I MASH Testing of a Thrie Beam Bullnose with Breakaway Steel Posts (Test Nos. MSPBN-1, -2, and -3)
REPORT NUMBER
TRP-03-389-20
AUTHORS
Bob Bielenberg, Ronald Faller, Thomas (TJ) Ammon, Jim Holloway, Karla Lechtenberg (Polivka)
PUBLICATION DATE
2020-08-27
ABSTRACT
<p>The objective of this research study was to evaluate the thrie-beam bullnose system using Universal Breakaway Steel Posts (UBSPs) to Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH 2016) criteria. In Phase I, three full-scale crash tests were conducted to evaluate the bullnose design. The crash tests were conducted according to the TL-3 criteria outlined in MASH 2016. The first test, test no. MSPBN-1, was conducted according to MASH 2016 test designation no. 3-35 with a 2270P vehicle at a speed of 62.9 mph (101.3 km/h) and an angle of 25.1 degrees. Test no. MSPBN-1 was conducted to examine the non-gating, thrie-beam bullnose crash cushion at critical impact point on the system where the behavior transitioned from capture to redirection. The second test, test no. MSPBN-2, was conducted according to MASH 2016 test designation no. 3-34 with an 1100C vehicle at a speed of 62.1 mph (100.0 km/h) and an angle of 14.7 degrees. Test no. MSPBN-2 was conducted to evaluate the impact performance of the bullnose as the device behavior changed from capture to redirection. The third test, test no. MSPBN-3, was conducted according to MASH 2016 test designation no. 3-32 with an 1100C vehicle at a speed of 62.7 mph (101.0 km/h) and an angle of 15.1 degrees. Test no. MPSNB-3 was conducted to evaluate the bullnose behavior during oblique impacts on the end or nose of the system. The tests were successful and met the MASH 2016 TL-3 safety requirements. Based on the successful completion of the first three critical tests in the MASH 2016 evaluation of the thrie-beam bullnose, it is believed that the remaining MASH 2016 TL-3 test matrix should be completed to certify the MASH 2016 compliance of the thrie beam bullnose system.</p>
KEYWORDS
<p>Highway Safety, Crash Test, Roadside Appurtenances, Median, Compliance Test, MASH, Bullnose, Thrie Beam, UBSP, Universal Breakaway Steel Post, BCT, Guardrail Envelope, Crash Cushion</p>
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