Performance characteristics of precast and reinforced concrete bridge barriers subjected to static and impact loads

A total of 24 full-scale cast-in-place and nine precast concrete railings were tested under static and impact load. Ten specimens were subjected to static loads. The remaining 23 specimens were tested with impact loads of different severity, using a full-scale pendulum facility. Test results show that the pendulum facility used in this study is capable of simulating impact events similar to those created in other studies using actual vehicles for crash tests. Further, test results reveal that the specimens had very similar crack patterns and failure modes under static and impact loading.; The study also included modeling of the specimens using strut-and-tie models. This procedure revealed flaws in the detailing of the precast specimens and confirmed failure modes of cast-in-place specimens observed in the experiments. The strut-and-tie models are used to recommend potential changes in detailing of the specimens for better performance.