TxDOT Short Span Short Radius Guardrail

Report Number(s): TRNo. 9-1002-15-9

Description: Each test installation consisted of a 31-inch tall, thrie-beam short-radius guardrail system constructed with the 27-ft-7½-inch long primary-road leg (as measured along the guardrail) that transitioned to a section of bridge parapet, and an 18-ft-9-inch long secondary-road leg that terminated with a rounded thrie-beam end section (RTE02a) that is attached a stiff pipe that can rotate around the vertical axis. The curved 12-ft-6-inch (post-to-post) arc length thrie-beam section (RTM02a) was rolled to an 8-ft-4½-inch inside radius. The primary-road side thrie-beam of the system was flared to the field side 4¼° from the tangent line of the parapet face, and the secondary-road side thrie-beam was perpendicular to the parapet face tangent. Six sand barrels were strategically placed on the inboard, field side of the installation. A pit was constructed on the field side of the installation. The upper edge of the pit was located 5 ft behind and parallel to the inside of the guardrail. The pit was 18 ft wide × 6 ft deep with a 3:1 slope on the face. The end anchor on the secondary roadway and the modified Breakaway Cable Terminal (BCT) foundation tube were analyzed and designed to withstand expected loads due to vehicular impact. The simulated parapet section was not designed for direct impact by a vehicle.

Test Level: 3

MASH Test Number: 3-32 & 3-33

Proprietary/Non-proprietary: Non-proprietary

Pass/Fail: Pass

Evaluation: Testing + Engineering Analysis

Sponsor: Texas Department of Transportation