MASH TL-6 Evaluation of a 62-in. Tall, Single-Slope, Concrete Median Barrier

Report Number(s): TRP-03-463-23

Description: The test installation for the TL-6 median barrier was 187 ft – 6 in. long and consisted of an upstream and a downstream section of barrier separated by a ¾-in. wide expansion joint. The upstream section of the installation was approximately 37 ft – 6 in. long, and the downstream section was approximately 150 ft long. The target impact location for the MTL6-1 full-scale crash test was at the expansion joint to maximize loading on the barrier and the potential for the tank trailer structure to contact and snag on the expansion joint gap between the upstream and downstream barrier sections. The reinforced concrete barrier was 62 in. tall and had a single-slope front face that was 5.5 degrees from vertical on the front and back sides. The barrier system was specified with a concrete compressive strength of 5,000 psi; the actual test-day compressive strength averaged 4,613 psi. The bottom of the barrier was 22 in. wide, and the top of the barrier was approximately 10 in. wide with ¾-in. chamfers on both top edges. The barrier was designed such that no load was exchanged between the upstream and downstream barrier segments across the ¾-in. wide expansion joint. To accomplish this objective, the barrier was designed with end sections and interior sections. The interior sections were designed to resist the design load. The end sections were designed in accordance with yield-line theory, as recommended by the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, and measured approximately 14 ft – 4 in. long.

Test Level: 6

Barrier Type: Cast-in-place

MASH Test Number: 6-12

Proprietary/Non-proprietary: Non-proprietary

Pass/Fail: Fail

Evaluation: Full-Scale Crash Testing

Sponsor: Mid-America Transportation Center