Report Result

TRP-03-418-20

Bob Bielenberg, Trent Ahlers, Ronald Faller, James Holloway

PUBLICATION DATE

2020-09-01

ABSTRACT

This research study was Phase II of the evaluation a thrie-beam bullnose system using Universal Breakaway Steel Posts (UBSPs) to Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) 2016 Test Level 3 (TL-3) criteria. Three full-scale crash tests were successfully conducted in Phase I to evaluate the bullnose system. In Phase II, test no. MSPBN-4 was conducted according to test designation no. 3-30 with an 1100C vehicle impacting the barrier at a speed of 62.1 mph (99.9 km/h) and an angle of 1.3 degrees. Test no. MSPBN-5 was conducted according to test designation no. 3-30 with an 1100C vehicle impacting the barrier at a speed of 62.7 mph (100.9 km/h) and an angle of 0.3 degrees. Test no. MSPBN-6 was conducted according to test designation no. 3-31 with a 2270P vehicle impacting the barrier at a speed of 63.4 mph (102.1 km/h) and an angle of 0.3 degrees. Test no. MSPBN-7 was conducted according to test designation no. 3-33 with a 2270P vehicle impacting the barrier at a speed of 63.1 mph (101.6 km/h) and an angle of 15.1 degrees Test no. MSPBN-8 was conducted according to test designation no. 3-37b with an 1100C vehicle impacting the barrier at a speed of 63.2 mph (101.8 km/h) and an angle of 25 degrees. Test no. MSPBN-4 was unacceptable according to MASH 2016 for test designation no. 3-30 due to the system inadequately containing or capturing the vehicle, and one MASH 2016 deformation limit was violated for the windshield. The bullnose system was modified by the use of an additional capture cable in the nose of the system for the remaining testing to address the failure observed in Test no. MSPBN-4. Test nos. MSPBN-5 through MSPBN-8 were deemed successful according to MASH 2016. The three successful full-scale crash tests from Phase I and the four successful crash tests from Phase II indicate that thrie-beam bullnose system meets the TL-3 test matrix for a MASH 2016-compliant crash cushion. Recommendations for system implementation were provided in the report.

KEYWORDS

Highway Safety, Crash Test, Roadside Appurtenances, Breakaway Posts, Compliance Test, MASH 2016, Bullnose, Thrie Beam

REPORT

TRP-03-418-20.pdf