Initially, WSDOT contacted Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) with a request to develop a new MASH crashworthy barrier gap rail design for the Interstate-90 (I-90) Snoqualmie Pass project in Washington State. TTI received an initial packet of information from WSDOT entitled “Barrier Gap- Data Package” from John Donahue (Washington DOT Assistant State Design Engineer).  This package contained drawings and details for a proposed barrier gap rail design to be used for this project along with information on the current concrete barrier type used on the project roadway.  As part of previous Phase 1, several barrier rail gap and scupper barrier concepts were considered for MASH TL-3 crash testing.  The scupper barrier option was selected for design and detailing.  Full-scale test installation details were developed as the final deliverable of Phase 1 of this project.  In Phase 2, MASH crash tests 3-10 and 3-11 were performed on the selected scupper barrier design. MASH crash test 3-11 was unsuccessful due to vehicle instability.  Phase 3 of this project will construct a modified scupper barrier (modified end loop connections), construct the test installation, and perform MASH Test 3-11 full scale crash testing for project completion.

Objective

The objective of this project will be to construct the modified scupper barrier details developed in Phases 1 and 2 and perform MASH full-scale crash testing with respect to MASH Test Level 3-11 Specifications for Phase 3. Note: MASH Test 3-10 was successfully conducted in Phase 2 so another 3-10 test is not required.

Benefits

The main benefit of this project will be to have a scupper barrier design option that meets the performance requirements of MASH Test Level 3.

Products

A scupper barrier design that is best suited for this project that meets the performance requirements of MASH Test Level 3.

Work Plan

For this project, the TTI research team will construct the details of the new scupper barrier design developed in Phases 1 and 2. The work plan is as follows:

Task 1: Construction of Full-Scale Test Installation

As part of this task, the TTI research team will construct full-scale test installation using the Details developed for this project in Phases 1 and 2.

Task 2: Full Scale Crash Testing

As part of this task, the TTI research team will perform one full-scale crash test, MASH Test 3-11 on the new scupper barrier design. Once the crash test has been performed, the TTI research team will prepare and submit a final test report summarizing all 3 phases of the project that documents information about the test article including all drawings, details, and material specifications used to construct the test article. All information obtained from the full-scale testing will also be included in the test report.  In addition, demolition of the test article after the testing is performed and the installation is no longer needed is included in this task.

 

Time Schedule

Started: February 2024 Time frame: 9 months

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February 13, 2025