Abstract: An end splice assembly for a box-beam guardrail and terminal system having a first stage rail element and a second stage rail element. The assembly has two major connecting components. Upper and lower bent plate channels and upper and lower channel splice plates. The channels and plates have side walls which extend laterally to one another when the two rail elements are mated. The channels and plates are fastened together to provide moment strength to the splice within the system.

Abstract: A high-impact, energy-absorbing vehicle barrier system generally includes a substantially rigid outer containment wall coupled via cable restraint assemblies with an energy-absorbing inner impact wall, and energy-absorbing cartridges strategically positioned between the impact wall and containment wall. The impact wall is constructed of a number of rectangular tubes coupled with one another to presents a substantially smooth, uniform surface to passing vehicles. The energy-absorbing cartridges generally consist of a number of foam sheets which compress and crush between the containment wall and impact wall to absorb energy from an errant vehicle striking the face of the impact wall, while the deflection and deformation of the impact wall tubes dissipates additional energy to reduce peak decelerations and mitigate the severity of high-energy vehicular impacts.

Abstract: A crash cushion system to envelop at least one bridge pier. The system has two impact heads, one facing one traffic flow direction and the other facing an opposite traffic flow direction. The heads are connected to multi-stage box beam energy absorbers which are in turn connected to a tubular frame structure which envelops the bridge piers. The frame is spaced apart from the face of the pier sufficiently to avoid an impacting vehicle's snagging the frame and contacting the pier structure. Anchorage cables to stiffen and support the sides of the envelope are positioned inside the frame's parallelogram shape.

Abstract: A portable crash attenuation system having a trailer frame and an energy absorption mechanism attached thereto. The absorption mechanism has a first stage pivotably connected to a second stage and the second stage is pivotably connected to the frame. By pivoting the stages about hinges the attenuation system may be folded from an extended, deployed position or mode to a shortened transit mode for easy relocation of the entire attenuation system.

Abstract: A single-sided crash attenuation cushion system having an impact head and three stage energy absorption mechanism. The energy absorbing mechanism has a mandrel for deforming thin-walled tubes in a controlled collapse to absorb impact forces from a colliding vehicle. The third stage of the absorption mechanism includes an additional deformable compressible tube between the fixed-object hazard and the thin walled tubes.

Abstract: A portable crash attenuation system having a trailer frame and an energy absorption mechanism attached thereto. The absorption mechanism has a first stage pivotably connected to a second stage and the second stage is pivotably connected to the frame. By pivoting the stages about hinges the attenuation system may be folded from an extended, deployed position or mode to a shortened transit mode for easy relocation of the entire attenuation system.

Abstract: A bursting energy absorber system having an impact head, and energy absorption mechanism. The energy absorbing mechanism has a generally rectangular mandrel for rupturing cooperating thin-walled generally rectangular tubes in a controlled rupture to absorb impact forces for a colliding vehicle. A frame may be used to mount the system to a truck, trailer, guardrail, median barrier end treatment, or a crash cushion. Stress concentrators such as saw cuts or scoring may be incorporated into the absorption tubes to selectively control rupturing and energy dissipation. The mandrels may be tapered, rectangularly shaped with beveled edges to reduce frictional forces along the interior comers of the tubes. Lubricants may be applied to further control frictional influences.

Abstract: A bursting energy absorber system having an impact head, and energy absorption mechanism. The energy absorbing mechanism has a generally rectangular mandrel for rupturing cooperating thin-wall generally rectangular tubes in a controlled rupture to absorb impact forces for a colliding vehicle. A frame may be used to mount the system to a truck, trailer, guardrail, median barrier end treatment, or a crash cushion. Stress concentrators such as saw cuts or scoring may be incorporated into the absorption tubes to selectively control rupturing and energy dissipation. The mandrels may be tapered, rectangularly shaped with beveled edges to reduce frictional forces along the interior corners of the tubes. Lubricants may be applied to further control frictional influences.

Abstract: A crash attenuation system having an impact head, and energy absorption mechanism. The energy absorbing mechanism has a mandrel for rupturing thin-walled tubes in a controlled rupture to absorb impact forces from a colliding vehicle. A frame may be used to mount the system to a truck, trailer, guardrail, median barrier end treatment, or a crash cushion. Stress concentrators may be incorporated into the tubes and the mandrels to selectively control rupturing and energy dissipation.

Abstract: An improved breakaway steel guardrail post for use in dissipation of impact energy upon impact of the post having an upper post member and a lower post member, a connecting joint, and a mechanism connected to the upper and lower post members for controlling the energy dissipation of the guardrail post about the connecting joint at a predetermined rate. A first embodiment utilizes a cable restraint lopped through openings in the guardrail posts. Other embodiments included straps and fasteners designed to distort or fail at predetermined rates or strengths and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A crash attenuation apparatus for use with a guardrail system having rail posts and rail elements. An impact head has a buffer nose section and a rail post breaking beam system. The post breaking beam system has upper and lower breaking beams attached to the head. A guide tube is attached to the side of the head. A strut member extends from a first attachment point on the rail element to a second point downstream. Upon impact by a vehicle, the head breaks the first rail post, before impacting the strut and buckling the rail element downstream.

Abstract: A highway guardrail terminal system having horizontally extending guardrail elements mounted on a plurality of posts. An anchor cable release bracket attached to a rail element by sleeved mounting bolts has an arrangement of slots and openings to quickly release an anchor cable system from the guardrail.

Abstract: A breakaway guardrail post includes upper and lower post sections spaced apart but connected by a breakaway joint. The joint is attached at one end to the upper post by a first fastener set and connected at a second end by a second fastener set. The first fastener set has a failure strength less than that of the second fastener set. Upon impact forces being applied to the upper post section, the first fastener fails and the upper post section rotates downwardly.

Abstract: A highway guardrail terminal system having horizontally extending guardrail elements mounted on a plurality of posts. Foundation sleeves having an elongated slit along one side retain and support appropriate guardrail posts. A plurality of stiffing ribs extend across the slit at a distal portion of the tube. The sleeves enable a safer and faster removal of broken guardrail posts after vehicular impact.

Abstract: The bore hole rock shear testing device of the present invention comprises a case assembly having a longitudinal axis, a driving block, at least one wedge member, and a restraint member. The wedge member is positioned between the restraint member and the driving block and includes a rock engaging surface facing radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the case assembly. The driving block and the wedge member have complimentary tapered surfaces which cause the rock engaging surface to be urged radially outwardly when the wedge member is compressed or squeezed between the driving block and the restraint member. Power means are provided for moving the driving block toward the restraint member, and a restraint mechanism selectively holds the restraint member against movment.