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Research article

First published January 2001

Improvements to the Weak-Post W-Beam Guardrail

Malcolm H. Ray, Klas Engstrand, Chuck A. Plaxico, and Richard G. McGinnisView all authors and affiliations

Volume 1743, Issue 1

https://doi.org/10.3141/1743-12

Abstract

The weak-post W-beam guardrail has been widely used in the Northeast for many decades. Weak-post guardrails are characterized by larger dynamic deflections in a collision and are considered more forgiving than other, stiffer barriers. Most states have experienced good performance with these barriers over the last several decades if adequate clear space is provided behind the barrier. Unfortunately, recent crash tests of the standard weak-post W-beam guardrail involving a 2000-kg pickup truck resulted in a series of unacceptable test results, including overriding and penetrating the guardrail. Design modifications to the weak-post W-beam guardrail were explored by using finite element simulations and full-scale crash tests. An improved version of the weak-post W-beam guardrail system was developed and tested, and this was found to satisfy the requirements of NCHRP Report 350 for Test Level 3.

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References

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Published In

Transportation Research Record

Volume 1743, Issue 1

Pages: 88 - 96

Article first published: January 2001

Issue published: January 2001

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© 2001 National Academy of Sciences.

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Authors

Affiliations

Malcolm H. Ray

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609-2280

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Klas Engstrand

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609-2280

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Chuck A. Plaxico

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609-2280

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Richard G. McGinnis

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA 17837

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