INVESTIGATION OF A TRACTOR-TANK TRAILER ROADSIDE CONTAINMENT BARRIER

Advisor: Dr. Jennifer Schmidt

The objective of this research project was to develop a new, cost-effective, MASH TL-6 barrier. A literature review on prior Test Level 5 and Test Level 6 barriers was conducted, and the cost of current TL-5 and TL-6 barriers was established. Existing and modified design procedures for roadside barrier were reviewed as well as current TL-6 design forces. A preliminary TL-6 truck model was developed in LS-DYNA. The minimum barrier height to contain a tractor-tank vehicle was determined to be 62 in. for a rigid, vertical-faced barrier through LS-DYNA computer simulation. New barrier concept designs were created, and a combination rail consisting of a lower reinforced concrete parapet and an upper steel rail was chosen as the most feasible. The combination railing was then modeled and a MASH test no. 6-12 crash test was simulated using the preliminary TL-6 model. The concept was then refine and the crash test was then simulated again. Conclusions were drawn about the design of the combination rail concept. Recommendations for how to improve the tank-trailer model were presented.