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Basics of Concrete Barriers (2000)

highways.dot.gov

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Re: Basics of Concrete Barriers (2000)

#2
Amazingly well thought out design. If you want something as impactful (hah) think about the fluid related mechanics of urinal and toilet design, and how much thought has to go into splashback.

Jersey kerb has become ubiquitous worldwide.

Interestingly, the alternate designs often used (guyed wires, steel barrier) have good and bad points, for survivability if an impact is unavoidable. They "give" -and in some circumstances, thats exactly what you want. Jersey Kerb is for the "nope: no giving here: wear the decelleration, hard" situations where giving (eg. into the oncoming traffic flow) would be worse overall.

Re: Basics of Concrete Barriers (2000)

#3
post #2

Amazingly well thought out design. If you want something as impactful (hah) think about the fluid related mechanics of urinal and toilet design, and how much thought has to go into splashback. Jersey kerb has become ubiquitous worldwide. Interestingly, the alternate designs often used (guyed wires, steel barrier) have good and bad points, for survivability if an impact is unavoidable. They "give" -and in some circums…

> splashback

I thought that is what the plastic filters at the bottom assisted with

Re: Basics of Concrete Barriers (2000)

#5
post #4

If you're having trouble reading the diagrams, several barrier types are available in this New Zealand Transport Agency publication [1]. The F-shape barrier is detailed on page 10. [1] https://arco.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/m23-road-safet...

Really cool. Is it just me or are metal wire barriers not very common in US road designs. They seem to be quite popular in Europe.

Re: Basics of Concrete Barriers (2000)

#6
I started in engineering before moving into applied math backend numerical engineering .. I still appreciate the quiet understatement of phyical testing results such as:

> To contain and redirect a 36,000-kg gasoline tanker after impacts at high angles and speeds, a 2290-mm (90-in) concrete barrier is required.

[ picture of hard impact big truck side humping and sliding into said barrier ]

Re: Basics of Concrete Barriers (2000)

#7
post #4

If you're having trouble reading the diagrams, several barrier types are available in this New Zealand Transport Agency publication [1]. The F-shape barrier is detailed on page 10. [1] https://arco.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/m23-road-safet...

I know what I'm reading on my next road trip.

Re: Basics of Concrete Barriers (2000)

#8
post #5
post #4

If you're having trouble reading the diagrams, several barrier types are available in this New Zealand Transport Agency publication [1]. The F-shape barrier is detailed on page 10. [1] https://arco.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/m23-road-safet...

Really cool. Is it just me or are metal wire barriers not very common in US road designs. They seem to be quite popular in Europe.

[deleted]

Re: Basics of Concrete Barriers (2000)

#9
post #5
post #4

If you're having trouble reading the diagrams, several barrier types are available in this New Zealand Transport Agency publication [1]. The F-shape barrier is detailed on page 10. [1] https://arco.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/m23-road-safet...

Really cool. Is it just me or are metal wire barriers not very common in US road designs. They seem to be quite popular in Europe.

Wire barriers are more common outside of city, urban areas where you start getting into long stretches without much else[0].

Of course they're cheap and easy to install, but their main downsides are, having a higher rate of killing those who get caught up in them and are only really good for one use.

[0] https://www.google.com/maps/@48.2347588,-122.237414,3a,75y,3...

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