Citation

Bryden JE, Hahn KC. Transp. Res. Rec. 1981; 796: 41-50.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1981, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Thrie-beam corrugated steel rail (a W-beam that has a third corrugation) was tested as a single-rail upgrading for discontinuous bridge-rail panels and on S3X5.7 posts as a guiderail and double-faced median barrier. Tests were performed to determine rail deflection characteristics, structural adequacy, vehicle decelerations, and vehicle damage. Ten-gage Thrie beam was used for all tests. As a bridge-rail upgrading, the Thrie beam is suitable for 60-mph, 25 deg. impacts by 4500-lb vehicles. As a guiderail or median barrier on S3X5.7 posts, it appears suitable as a longitudinal barrier, based on tests with 2250-lb and 3500-lb vehicles. Proposed design deflections for Thrie-beam guiderails and median barriers are close to those for box-beam guiderails and median barriers. Further testing of these guiderail and median-barrier designs would yield better definition of impact and redirection characteristics and would better indicate what actions could be taken to reduce the impact between the vehicle's wheel and the posts.