Midwest Guardrail System W-Beam-to-Thrie-Beam Transition
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
2007
Subject Area
mode - rail
Keywords
W-beam guardrail, W beams, Thrie beams, Impact tests, Guiderails, Guardrails, Guardrail transition sections, Guard rails, Guard fences, Crash tests, Collision tests, Bridge rails, Bridge railings
Abstract
For longitudinal barriers, it is common practice to use a standard W-beam guardrail along the required highway segments and to use a stiffened thrie-beam guardrail in a transition region near the end of a bridge. As a result of the differences in rail geometries, a W-beam–to–thrie-beam transition element is typically used to connect and provide continuity between the two rail sections. However, the W-beam–to–thrie-beam transition element has not been evaluated according to current impact safety standards. Therefore, an approach guardrail transition system, including a W-beam–to–thrie-beam transition element, was constructed and crash tested. The transition system was attached to Missouri’s thrie-beam and channel bridge railing system.
Recommended Citation
Polivka, Karla, Coon, Brian, Sicking, Dean, Faller, Ronald, Bielenberg, Robert, Rohde, John, Reid, John, (2007). Midwest Guardrail System W-Beam-to-Thrie-Beam Transition. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2025, pp 45-50.
