Research Papers (2009 – 2013)

Abstract

Corrosion of steel reinforcement due to environmental effects is a major cause of deterioration problems in bridge barriers. Glass fibre reinforced polymers (GFRP), not only addresses this durability problem but also provides exceptionally high tensile strength. A recent design work conducted at Ryerson University on PL-3 bridge barrier proposed three different barrier configurations incorporating GFRP bars with headed ends, bent bars and bars with 180° hooks. Due to high tensile strength of GFRP headed-end bars with high modulus or elasticity (HM bars) given the fact that the tensile strength of GFRP bent and hook bars is relatively low at bent portions and must be crash tested for adequacy, the GFRP headed-end bars were selected for the proposed research project. As such, a PL-3 barrier wall of 27.6 m length was constructed using the proposed first GFRP bar configuration, incorporating bars with headed ends, to perform vehicle crash testing. This paper summarizes the procedure and the results of the vehicle crash test conducted on the developed barrier. The crash test was performed in accordance with MASH [6] Test Level 5 (TL-5), which involves the 36000V tractor trailer impacting the barrier at a nominal speed and angle of 80 km/h and 15º degrees, respectively. Crash test results showed that the barrier contained and redirected the vehicle. The vehicle did not penetrate or override the parapet. No detached elements, fragments, or other debris from the barrier were present to penetrate or show potential for penetrating the occupant compartment, or to present undue hazard to others in the area. No occupant compartment deformation occurred. The test vehicle remained upright during and after the collision event.

H.R. Khederzadeh, K. Sennah