Box-Beam Burster Energy-Absorbing Terminal Bridge Pier Protection System

Abstract

A new box-beam burster energy-absorbing terminal (BEAT) bridge pier (BEAT-BP) protection system was successfully crash tested according to the safety performance criteria presented in NCHRP Report 350. The system comprises two BEAT crash cushions and a frame that envelops the bridge piers. Because of the close proximity to the piers, the system has a footprint significantly smaller than those of the other available options. Three crash tests were considered necessary to evaluate the BEAT-BP protection system and were conducted successfully: a pickup truck critical impact point (CIP) transition test at a bridge pier (Test Designation 3-21), a pickup truck CIP test at the connection between the crash cushion and the tubular frame structure (Test Designation 3-38), and a pickup truck end-on test for the crash cushion (Test Designation 3-31). A total of four crash tests were conducted, including one failed test (Test BP-2). The BEAT-BP protection system performed satisfactorily in all three required crash tests, meeting all evaluation criteria set forth in the guidelines of NCHRP Report 350.