Abstract:
A system and method for a device for releasing a cable of a safety system is disclosed. The system and method disclose various features of the cable system as it applies to a roadway barrier system and other applications in the event that the cables are impacted generally longitudinally proximate the region they are secured to a surface.
Abstract:
An end splice assembly for a box-beam guardrail and terminal system having a first stage rail element and a second stage rail element. The assembly has two major connecting components. Upper and lower bent plate channels and upper and lower channel splice plates. The channels and plates have side walls which extend laterally to one another when the two rail elements are mated. The channels and plates are fastened together to provide moment strength to the splice within the system.
Abstract:
The invention features a new and improved safety treatment for rails, such as a highway guardrail or barrier, which through compression of elongated segments of a telescoping terminal dissipates energy from vehicle impacts approaching from substantially upstream of the rail and reduce the hazard of "spearing." The impact energy is resisted by frictional and, in preferred embodiments, mechanical compression by a smaller segment of a filler disposed within a larger segment. In some embodiments, the invention further provides a nose piece to further reduce the spearing effect.
Abstract:
An energy-absorbing post for absorbing the impact energy of an errant vehicle wherein the impact energy is absorbed by out-of-plane deformation in the material of the post. Out-of-plane deformation is provided by utilizing a through-bolt extending through a splice connection between upper and lower posts sections. Alternatively, out-of-plane deformation is provided by leaving an axial gap on a splice bolts. For terminal applications, a single through-bolt is utilized to allow the upper post section to pivot during end on impacts. Bolt tear out facilitators, including stress concentrators and pre-buckles, or an angled through-bolt decrease any initially high tear-out forces. Direct out-of-plane deformation is provided by extending a tab from a splice plate and connecting the tab to the post, by forming one or more slots in an upstream lateral face of the post and directly welding a splice plate near the slots, or by connecting a bent over splice plate on opposing planar sides thereof to facilitate out-of-plane deformation in a weldment area between the plate and the post.
Abstract:
An end splice assembly for a box-beam guardrail and terminal system having a first stage rail element and a second stage rail element. The assembly has two major connecting components. Upper and lower bent plate channels and upper and lower channel splice plates. The channels and plates have side walls which extend laterally to one another when the two rail elements are mated. The channels and plates are fastened together to provide moment strength to the splice within the system.
Abstract:
A system and method for a device for releasing a cable of a safety system is disclosed. The system and method disclose various features of the cable system as it applies to a roadway barrier system and other applications in the event that the cables are impacted generally longitudinally proximate the region they are secured to a surface.
Abstract:
A highway guardrail terminal having horizontally extending guardrail elements mounted on a plurality of vertical posts. An anchor cable release mechanism having a cable release bracket attached to a W-beam rail element by cable release bolts has an arrangement of tapered slots and elongated openings to quickly release the cable release bracket from the W-beam rail element upon end-on vehicular impact to the terminal. The tapered slots have a geometry which lifts the bracket away from and out of a parallel alignment with the W-beam rail element.
Abstract:
A high-impact, energy-absorbing vehicle barrier system generally includes a substantially rigid outer containment wall coupled via strap assemblies with an energy-absorbing inner impact wall, and energy-absorbing cartridges strategically positioned between the impact wall and containment wall. The impact wall is constructed of a number of tubes coupled with one another to present a substantially smooth, uniform surface to passing vehicles. The energy-absorbing cartridges generally consist of a foam member or a number of foam sheets which compress and crush between the containment wall and impact wall to absorb energy from an errant vehicle striking the face of the impact wall, while the deflection and deformation of the impact wall tubes dissipates additional energy to reduce peak decelerations and mitigate the severity of high-energy vehicular impacts. Internal splice units and the strap assemblies provide for relatively easy and quick replacement of damaged impact wall sections and energy-absorbing cartridges.
Abstract:
A crashworthy traffic noise barrier system for use alongside a path of traffic, the crashworthy traffic noise barrier system comprises a crashworthy longitudinal barrier extending substantially parallel to the path of traffic and a crashworthy traffic noise barrier wall supported by the longitudinal barrier. The crashworthy traffic noise barrier wall includes a plurality of upstanding posts attached to the traffic noise barrier wall, at least one panel supported between each adjacent pair of posts in the plurality of upstanding posts, and at least one longitudinal beams spaced above a top surface of the longitudinal barrier and extending across the plurality of upstanding posts for redirecting a portion of an errant vehicle away from the at least one panel. The longitudinal beams redirect energy of the errant vehicle away from the panels such that the panels and any fragments of the panels, remain attached to the traffic noise barrier wall. The panels may be transparent and may be reinforced with plastic bands, plastic threads, or a plastic net.
Abstract:
A single-sided crash attenuation cushion system having an impact head and three stage energy absorption mechanism. The energy absorbing mechanism has a mandrel for deforming thin-walled tubes in a controlled collapse to absorb impact forces from a colliding vehicle. The third stage of the absorption mechanism includes an additional deformable compressible tube between the fixed-object hazard and the thin walled tubes.