This paper summarizes the results of an effort to develop an international barrier corporation (ibc) mk-7 barrier that can contain and redirect an 80, 000-lbtractor van-trailer. After evaluation of various options, the approach of usingportland cement--stabilized sand as the fill material was selected. The developmental effort included laboratory testing to determine the appropriate mix for the stabilized sand fill material, computer simulation to investigate the bendingmoments and shear strength required for the barrier to contain and redirect various vehicle types and weights, and full-scale crash testing of the smaller ibc mk-9 barrier with automobiles to obtain baseline data for use in developing the mk-7 truck barrier. A mix of 100 lb sand, 10 lb portland cement, and 10 lb waterwas selected for use as the fill material for the ibc mk-7 truck barrier. The barrier was struck by an 80, 000-lb tractor van-trailer at 50.9 Mph and 15.0 Degrees. The tractor-railer was contained and smoothly redirected by the barrier. The tractor-trailer rolled considerably toward the barrier during the impact sequence but remained upright with the bottom of the left side of the trailer slidingon top of the barrier. The vehicle was severely damaged, but the barrier sustained only minor damage. The results of the crash test indicate that the ibc mk-7 barrier with stabilized fill material meets the guidelines set forth in nchrp report 230 for a high-performance truck barrier. This paper appears in transportation research record no. 1258, Roadside safety 1990.
Abstract