| description abstract | Deterioration of concrete bridge barriers as a result of corrosion of internal steel reinforcement in severe environmental conditions is a major problem. Glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars are currently used as an alternative to the conventional steel reinforcement because of their corrosion resistance, long-term durability properties, and exceptionally high tensile strength. A recent design project conducted at Ryerson University on a TL-5 bridge barrier proposed the use of 15 M and 13 M GFRP bars as vertical reinforcement in the barrier front and back faces at 3 mm spacing, respectively; 15 M GFRP bars were used as horizontal reinforcement in the barrier wall. The connection between the deck slab and the barrier wall utilized GFRP bars with a 18° hook for proper anchorage. To qualify the developed GFRP-reinforced barrier for use in Canada, a vehicle crash test was performed according to the safety-performance evaluation guidelines of the 29 AASHTO Manual for assessing safety hardware (MASH) for Test Level 5 (TL-5). The crash test involved a 36,-V vehicle impacting the barrier at a target impact speed and impact angle of 8 km/h and 15°, respectively. This article summarizes the procedure and the results of the vehicle crash test conducted on the developed GFRP-reinforced barrier. Criteria to evaluate crash-test results showed that (1) the barrier controlled and redirected the vehicle to the lane; the vehicle did not penetrate, underride, or override the barrier; (2) no concrete detached elements, fragments, or other debris from the barrier penetrated the occupant compartment or presented undue hazard to others in the area; (3) the occupant compartment remained undeformed; and (4) the truck remained upright during and after the collision. As such, the developed barrier performed acceptably according to MASH TL-5. The calculated equivalent impact force, acceleration, deflection, and recorded strains caused by vehicle impact are presented. | |
