Median barrier placement on six-lane, 46-foot median divided freeways

Details

• Creators:
  Fang, Howie ; Li, Ning ; Tian, Ning
• Corporate Creators:
  United States. Federal Highway Administration ; University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Department of Mechanical Engineering & Engineering Science
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Cables
  • Median barriers
  • Finite element method
  • Roadside structures
  • Highway safety
  • Divided highways
  • Guardrails
  • Barriers (Roads)
  • Cable barrier
  • W-beam
  More +
• Publication/ Report Number:
  FHWA/NC/2009-04
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  North Carolina
• Edition:
  Final Report; 08/2008 ¿ 11/2010
• Corporate Publisher:
  North Carolina. Department of Transportation. Research and Analysis Group
• Abstract:
  This report summarizes the research efforts of using finite element modeling and simulations to evaluate the ; performance of W-beam guardrails and cable median barriers on six-lane, 46-foot median divided freeways. A ; literature review is included on performance evaluation of W-beam guardrails and cable barriers as well as applications ; of finite element modeling and simulations in roadside safety research. ; The three types of barriers evaluated in this project are the single-face W-beam, double-face W-beam (two designs), ; and generic low-tension cable barrier. All three types of barriers were evaluated at three impact speeds and three impact ; angles. Full-scale crash simulations were first performed on a single-face W-beam guardrail placed on the border of a ; 2.5:1 slope and the shoulder. Two designs of a double-face W-beam guardrail, which replaced the single-face W-beam ; at the same location, were then evaluated using simulations and compared to the single-face one. Finally, simulations ; were performed on vehicles impacting the cable median barrier placed on a 4:1 slope. The simulation results ; demonstrated the effects of sloped medians on vehicle redirection after contacting the cable median barriers or W-beam ; guardrails. A common issue for a sloped median is the increased potential of vehicle rollovers, particularly for largesize ; vehicles. The results will be used to update and validate the standard drawings and strategies for placement of ; median guardrails and cable barriers. ; The use of finite element simulations is shown to be both effective and efficient, because they are nondestructive, ; repeatable, modifiable, and inexpensive. Furthermore, finite element simulations can be used to study crash scenarios ; that are impossible and/or extremely expensive to conduct physical crash testing. Finite element modeling and ; simulations are recommended for future investigations of other research issues.
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• Format:
  PDF
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/18626/dot_18626_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 9.30 MB]
• Collection(s):
  US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:d3ba9eb0885e8fae485eecf6d072d3ae8566c73b884b7de2e624a2f61a51ffe8