STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE LEVELS FOR PORTABLE CONCRETE BARRIERS

There is a significant variation in the structural performance of different types of portable concrete barriers (PCBs) because of variations in connection strengths. Results of 20 full-scale crash tests on PCBs and relationships between PCB connection strength and structural performance are established. On the basis of this information, five different service levels are proposed to classify PCB structural performance. These service levels are based on estimates of connection shear, torsion, and bending strength. This information can be used to estimate the structural performance of existing barriers or it can be used as a guide in barrier design.