Citation

Beason WL, Hirsch TJ, Cain JC. Transp. Res. Rec. 1986; 1065: 56-61.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1986, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A low-maintenance, energy-absorbing bridge rail has been developed for use in high traffic volume situations where the cost of repairing conventional bridge rails has become prohibitively expensive. The new bridge rail is designed to meet or exceed current bridge rail design guidelines. It incorporates railings and posts made of steel tubing and rubber energy absorbers and is designed to be installed on new or existing standard bridge decks.

RESULTS of crash tests show that the bridge rail can smoothly redirect a 4,500-lb (2043-kg) automobile impacting at a velocity of 60 mph (96.6 km/hr) and an angle of 25 degrees and remain in service with no maintenance. If exposed to a more severe impact, the bridge rail may have to be repaired, but the bridge deck will remain undamaged. Finally, the new energy-absorbing rail occupies less bridge deck area than do conventional bridge rails.

Language: en

Keywords

HIGHWAY SYSTEMS; BRIDGES, HIGHWAY - Design; STEEL STRUCTURES - Testing