BTN 2005/006

Bridge Traffic Barrier Performance Levels and Design Loads

2005/006

Bridge Technical Note

BRIDGE TRAFFIC BARRIER PERFORMANCE LEVELS

AND DESIGN LOADS
1.

GENERAL

This Technical Note is to be read in conjunction with AS 5100-2004 Bridge Design. It provides
specific information regarding VicRoads requirements for bridge traffic barriers.
This Technical Note is also intended to supplement the information provided in the AS5100
Commentary.
2.

TERMINOLOGY

AS 5100 Part 1: Scope and General Principles, Clause 10.5 and Table 10.4 make reference to the
following bridge traffic barrier performance levels:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)

No barrier;
Low;
Regular;
Medium; and
Special.

The Special performance level referred to in AS 5100 Part 2 Clause 10.5.6 is intended to
represent:
(a) Performance levels of greater containment capacity than Medium performance level which
includes the VicRoads-defined High performance level;
(b) Performance levels appropriate to site specific, unusual conditions at critical sites and
locations where it is essential that penetration or vaulting by vehicles specified by the
authority under impact conditions needs to be avoided.
3.

CRASH TEST VEHICLES AND CRITERIA FOR DIFFERENT PERFORMANCE LEVEL

BARRIERS

Reference should be made to AS 5100-2004 Part 1 Clause 10 in the first instance. This clause
specifies performance levels, acceptance criteria, geometric details and other information relevant
to the determination of an appropriate bridge traffic barrier system to be used at a specific location.
AS 5100-2004 Part 1 Clause 10.4 and Table 10.4 define the crash test vehicles and TRB-NCHRP
Report 350 test levels corresponding to the following performance levels:
(a) Low;
(b) Regular; and
(c) Medium.
The above criteria shall also be used for VicRoads bridge traffic barriers of the same performance
levels.

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Bridge Traffic Barrier Performance Levels and Design Loads
AS 5100-2004 Part 1, Informative Appendix B, Clause B5 and Table B3 define crash test vehicles
and TRB-NCHRP Report 350 test levels where available, for three different Special performance
levels.
For corresponding VicRoads bridge traffic barriers the following criteria shall be used.
AS 5100
Performance
Level

Vehicles

0.8 t small car

2.0 t utility
44 t articulated van *

Special

Special

Test
Speed

Impact
Angle

km/hr
100
100
100 #

Degrees
20
25
15

To be specified by the
authority **

TRBNCHRP
Report 350
Test Level

Corresponding
VicRoads
Performance
Level

Above TL6

High

Other

Special

Table 1
Crash Test Vehicles and Criteria for VicRoads High and Special Performance Levels
Notes:
*
Controlling strength test vehicle is a typical Australian, 44 t, 6 axle tray-type semi-trailer;
**
VicRoads will determine and specify appropriate criteria to be used for Special performance
level barriers.
#
The design loads given in Table 2 are based on a design speed of approximately 100
km/hr.
The special performance level referenced in AS5100.1 Appendix B Table B3 which corresponds to
the TRB NCHRP Report 350 test level 6 has not been specified to date by VicRoads because the
introduction of an intermediate performance level between VicRoads Medium and High
performance levels was not considered to be warranted. There may be instances where VicRoads
determines that a Special performance level bridge traffic barrier system, which has been
demonstrated to satisfy NCHRP 350 TL6 requirements, is appropriate.
4.

BRIDGE PERFORMANCE LEVEL SELECTION

AS 5100-2004 Part 1 Informative Appendix B, Road Barrier Performance Level Selection Method,
provides a methodology to determine an appropriate bridge traffic barrier performance level. This
approach leads to the selection of a Low, Regular or Medium performance level, based on a series
of parameters for the specific site.
This Appendix may be used as a guide for selection of the same performance levels for VicRoads
bridge traffic barriers. Both are based on AASHTO, Guide Specification for Bridge Railings,
1989.
The above selection charts do not provide guidance on the selection of No Barrier or a Special
performance level, including VicRoads High performance level. Reference needs to be made to
AS 5100 Part 1 Clause 10 for guidance on the criteria and methodology to be used to determine
the warrant for use of these performance levels.

5.

DESIGN LOADS AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR BRIDGE TRAFFIC BARRIERS

Reference should be made in the first instance to AS 5100 Part 2 Clause 11. This clause provides
direction on the purpose of the design loads and other information specified therein.

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Bridge Traffic Barrier Performance Levels and Design Loads
For design and analysis of VicRoads Low and Regular performance level bridge traffic barriers, the
design loads and vehicle contact lengths specified in AS 5100 Part 2 Table 11.2.2 shall be used.
For design and analysis of VicRoads Medium, High and Special performance level bridge traffic
barriers, the design loads and vehicle contact lengths specified in Table 2 of this BTN shall be
used.

AS 5100
Corresponding
VicRoads
Performance
Performance
Level
Level

Ultimate
Transverse
Outward
Load
Ft

kN

Ultimate
Vehicle
Longitudinal
Contact
or
Length for
Transverse Transverse
Inward
Loads, LT
Load
and
FL
Longitudinal
Loads LL
kN
m

Ultimate
Vertical
Downward
Load
FV

Vehicle
Contact
Length for
Vertical
Loads
LV

kN
m

Medium

Medium

500

170

2.4

350

12.0

Special
Greater than
NCHRP350
Test Level 6

High

1000

330

2.5

450

15.0

Special

Special

# VicRoads to specify design loads and/or other criteria for Special performance level barriers.

Table 2
Design Loads and Vehicle Contact Lengths for VicRoads
Medium, High and Special Performance Levels

6.

EFFECTIVE HEIGHTS

The minimum effective heights to be used for VicRoads Low and Regular performance level bridge
traffic barriers shall be as specified in AS 5100 Part 2 Clause 11 Table 11.2.3.
The minimum effective heights to be used for VicRoads Medium, High and Special performance
level bridge traffic barriers shall be as specified in Table 3 below. These heights are based on
criteria specified in AS 5100 Part 2 Appendix A Table A3.
7.

CONCRETE PARAPET BRIDGE BARRIER GEOMETRY

AS5100-2004 Part 1 provides information on two alternative concrete parapet bridge traffic barrier
shapes.
For VicRoads bridge barriers, the Safety Barrier (F shape) profile shall be used for VicRoads
bridge barriers.

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DATE:

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BTN 2005/006
Bridge Traffic Barrier Performance Levels and Design Loads

AS 5100
Performance Level

Corresponding
VicRoads
Performance Level

Minimum Effective Height

He
Mm

Medium

Medium

1100

Special
Greater than NCHRP350
Test Level 6

High

1400

Special

Special

To be specified by VicRoads

Table 3
Minimum Effective Heights for VicRoads
Medium, High and Special Performance Levels

8.

REFERENCES
1
2
3
4

AS 5100 Bridge Design, 2004

AASHTO Guide Specifications for Bridge Railings, 1989
AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications
TRB-NCHRP Report 350 Recommended Procedures for the Safety Performance
Evaluation of Highway Features

MARIO FANTIN
PRINCIPAL BRIDGE ENGINEER
For further information please contact:
Principal Bridge Engineer
3 Prospect Hill Road Camberwell Vic 3124
Telephone: (03) 9811 8307
Facsimile:
(03) 9811 8329
Email:
mario.fantin@roads.vic.gov.au
Bridge Technical Notes are subject to periodic review and may be superseded

VERSION:

2.0

DATE:

May 2009

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