An Impact-Energy Attenuating Device Combined with Guardrail-Like Structures

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An Impact-Energy Attenuating Device Combined with Guardrail-Like Structures

W. E. Woolam

The report covers the design and development of an 'Impact-Energy Attenuating Device Combined with Guardrail-Like Structures' - perhaps more appropriately referred to as an 'Energy Absorbing Bridge Rail (Fragmenting Tube)'. This new energy absorbing bridge rail concept was designed to redirect an errant vehicle parallel to the normal traffic flow with a minimum of damage to the vehicle and, more important, to reduce the injuries to the passengers of the vehicle to a tolerable level. Energy absorption is accomplished utilizing an aerospace developed energy absorber - the 'fragmenting' tube. In addition, a new design concept is introduced whereby a box beam type rail, cantilevered from backup posts, is allowed 2 ft. of energy absorption prior to 'bottoming out' against a backup system which can be designed to be stiff enough to retain heavier vehicles such as buses and trucks. The cantilevered design minimizes damage from post snagging. Based on the results of four full-scale crash tests conducted at the Texas Transportation Institute, this conceptually new energy absorbing type bridge rail system shows definite promise when compared to the present 'rigid post' designs. (Author)