Performance of Guardrail Systems Encased in Pavement Mow Strips
Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 131, Issue 11
Abstract
Pavement mow strips are being used to combat growth of vegetation around guardrail posts. However, the effect of pavement post encasement on crashworthiness of strong post guardrail systems has not been investigated. In this paper, performance of these systems is examined using experimental testing and numerical simulation. Mow strip dimensions, materials, and depths are considered in addition to the presence “leave-out” sections around posts. Seventeen configurations using wood and steel posts embedded in various mow strip configurations and confinement conditions were subjected to dynamic impact testing with a bogie vehicle. Dynamic impact tests were numerically simulated and full-scale mow strip system models were assembled using the subcomponent models. A concrete mow strip with grout leave-outs was designed based on predictive numerical simulations. This design was subsequently constructed and subjected to full-scale crash testing. With reference to nationally accepted criteria, crash tests of a strong post steel guardrail system and a wood post guardrail system encased in the selected mow strip configuration were considered to be successful. Recommendations for implementation are provided.
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Acknowledgments
This work was cosponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) under research project 0-4162 and by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under Cooperative Agreement No. DTFH61-00-X-00113 “Center of Excellence in DYNA3D Analysis.” The writers wish to acknowledge Mr. Robert Kovar, Mr. Mark Marek, and Ms. Rory Meza whom directed the project for TxDOT. The support and guidance of Mr. Martin Hargrave, who served as the technical representative for the FHWA, is also acknowledged and appreciated. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed herein are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of TxDOT or the FHWA.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 131 • Issue 11 • November 2005
Pages: 851 - 860
Copyright
© 2005 ASCE.
History
Received: Jul 19, 2004
Accepted: May 19, 2005
Published online: Nov 1, 2005
Published in print: Nov 2005
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