Abstract
Traffic barriers represent one of the basic road safety features. There are several types of traffic barriers based on the material from which they are made of and their location. Bridge structures are usually fitted with steel barriers. A steel barrier is, in fact, a relatively complex system linking individual steel elements, which, as a whole, has to meet the requirements given by normative regulations. In order for the steel barriers to fulfill their function and prevent the catastrophic consequences of traffic accidents, it is absolutely necessary to ensure their correct installation on the bridge structure. It seemed until recently that carrying out quality inspections of steel barriers installation, i.e., their anchoring into the concrete ledges, was a relatively complicated time- and money-consuming process, and that is why inspections of the correct anchoring installation in new or existing barriers were not carried out as standard. This paper thoroughly describes in detail the non-destructive ultrasonic pulse method, with which the anchoring of steel barriers on selected bridge structures is being checked. From the measurements and statistical evaluation of the results, it is apparent that carrying out inspections of the anchoring of these road safety features should be considered routine, and at the same time, the inspection of anchoring quality should be required by law in order to ensure the safety of road traffic.
Highlights
It was observed in the Czech Republic (CR) and Slovakia that, in car accidents on road bridge structures, there was relatively high material damage and sometimes serious injuries to the passengers
In a mere visual assessment of the state of bridge steel barriers after traffic accidents, it was apparent that the technological procedure of the installation of bridge barriers was not observed; i.e., the anchoring depth of steel barrier posts in the concrete bridge ledge was not observed
On the basis of the first laboratory tests made, we proposed and developed a method of checking the anchoring depth, which was subsequently applied on-site
Summary
It was observed in the Czech Republic (CR) and Slovakia that, in car accidents on road bridge structures, there was relatively high material damage and sometimes serious injuries to the passengers. It was proven that the longitudinal barriers have an important impact on the severity of consequences of traffic accidents on roads—provided, that they are correctly installed [1,2]. It is possible to find cases where checking the installation of bridge barriers was required retrospectively, because traffic accidents usually have tragic consequences precisely on those stretches of roads. On the basis of this experience, greater attention started to be paid to the construction of individual structures, and investors started to request more complex checks of the individual steps of installation of bridge barriers by contractors. Due to there being several examples of cases in which a violation of technological discipline was proven, with the respective consequences, it is apparent that suppliers and contractors are paying greater attention to the installation of barriers. A problem is posed by the Safety 2020, 6, 2; doi:10.3390/safety6010002 www.mdpi.com/journal/safety
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