Patent ID: 8517349
Filing Date: 2013-08-27
Classification: E01F

Abstract:
1. A system for supporting a guardrail terminal having a safety end treatment, comprising: an upstream end of a rail member associated with the safety end treatment; a breakaway support post configured to support the upstream end; and an unmodified weak support post downstream from the breakaway support post, the unmodified weak support post having an upper portion configured to couple to a portion of the rail member adjacent the upstream end and a lower portion adapted to embed into the earth, the unmodified weak support post configured to bend proximate a point at which the unmodified weak support post embeds the earth without being subject to any weakening mechanisms; and wherein the unmodified weak support post comprises: a first dimension measured in a direction that is parallel to the rail member; and a second dimension measured in a direction that is perpendicular to the rail member, and wherein the first dimension is less than the second dimension to provide the unmodified weak support post with a weak axis running perpendicular to the portion of the rail member and strong axis running parallel to the portion of the rail member, wherein the unmodified weak support post is selected from the group consisting of a C 120 metal post and S3×5.7 steel section post.