Overview
The AASHTO-FHWA Joint Agreement for the Implementation of the 2016 Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) requires that any roadside safety hardware (guide rail, bridge rail, transitions, attenuators, etc.) to be installed on the National Highway System must be MASH-compliant. Because transitions were not previously required to be crash tested, NYSDOT designs need to be tested.
Research Objectives
To determine if the designs are MASH-compliant and if not, provide recommendations for modifications.
NYSDOT is seeking to perform finite element modeling (FEM) and analysis (FEA) with subsequent MASH crash testing performed on six NYSDOT guide rail and concrete barrier systems and terminals. Each system researched will include the following key elements:
- FEM and FEA of the test article (guide rail or barrier) and MASH vehicles, typically with the objective of determining critical impact points; and
- Crash testing of the system.
Related Media
Personnel
Frank DarConte
Affiliated Researcher, NYU
Frank DarConte is a Co-Principal Investigator on this project.