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                Safety Eligibility Letter B-164
  
  **Hardware Type:**
            Longitudinal Barriers and Bridge Rails
                          **Code:**
            B-164
                          **Date:**
            10/30/2007
                          **Testing Criteria:**
            NCHRP 350
                          **Manufacturer:**
            Barrier Connection LLC
                          **Device Description:**
            F-Shape portable concrete barrier wall
                          **View PDF:**
            b164.pdf (974.66 KB)
    
    HSSD/B-164


DOT logo
U.S. Department of Transportation
**Federal Highway Administration**
400 Seventh St., S.W.
Washington, D.C.  20590October 30, 2007
In Reply Refer To:  
HSSD/B-164

Mr. Kevin E. Lathan, P.E.
Barrier Connection, LLC
976 Narcissus Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33767-0564
	
Dear Mr. Lathan:
Thank you for your August 14,  2007, letter requesting the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) acceptance  of an F-shape portable concrete barrier wall as a test level 3 (TL-3)  device for use on the National Highway System (NHS). Accompanying your  letter were drawings of the details of the barrier, connections, and reinforcement  and a comparison of this design with previously crash tested barriers.  You requested that we find this device acceptable for use on the NHS under the  provisions of National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 350  “Recommended Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway  Features.”
**Introduction**
  The FHWA guidance on crash  testing of roadside safety hardware is contained in a memorandum dated July 25,  1997, titled “INFORMATION: Identifying Acceptable Highway Safety  Features.”
**Testing**
  The barrier segments were  fabricated in accordance with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)  drawing 501.45 (revised August 1997, copy enclosed for reference). The one difference between the VDOT design and  the barrier design you are requesting is the lack of the #4 reinforcing bar at  the top of the wall. The FHWA acceptance  letter B-54 dated May 18, 1999, describes the VDOT barrier:

“The tested  barrier was an 810-mm tall F-shaped concrete barrier 6100-mm long. Each segment  was made from 30 Mpa concrete (28 day compressive strength) and contains three  longitudinal #19 bars [#6 bars U.S. units] and one longitudinal #13 bar [#4 bar, U.S. units]. Adjacent segments areconnected by 25-mm  diameter ASTM A36 steel pins 610-mm long which pass through loops fabricated  with 20-mm diameter steel bars. ASTM F-488 steel washers are used under the pin  head and above the 25-mm hex nut used to retain the pin at the bottom.”

The VDOT barrier was found  acceptable in both 10-foot and 20-foot long sections. An analysis of the  reinforcing steel shows that, even minus the #4 bar noted above, the  longitudinal steel in the barrier you requested iscomparable to that  found in other crash tested barrier segments such as the JJ-Hooks Temporary  Barrier described in the FHWA acceptance letter B-52 dated March 26, 1999.
**Findings**
  The F-shape portable concrete  barrier wall described above and detailed in the enclosed drawing is acceptable  for use on the NHS as it is deemed an equivalent material meeting NCHRP 350 TL-3,  when proposed by a highway agency. The  connection pin, nut, and washers should be at least 1 inch in diameter and  secured with nuts and washers as were the crash tested VDOT barrier segments. Barrier segment lengths may be 10 feet or 20  feet.
Please note the following  standard provisions that apply to the FHWA letters of acceptance:
This acceptance is limited to the  crashworthiness characteristics of the device(s).
  Any changes that may adversely influence the  crashworthiness of the device will require a new acceptance letter.
  Should the FHWA discover that the qualification  testing was flawed, that in-service performance reveals unacceptable safety  problems, or that the device being marketed is significantly different from the  version that was crash tested, it reserves the right to modify or revoke its  acceptance.
  You will be expected to supply potential users  with sufficient information on design and installation requirements to ensure  proper performance.
  You will be expected to certify to potential  users that the hardware furnished has essentially the same chemistry,  mechanical properties, and geometry as that submitted for acceptance, and that  they will meet the crashworthiness requirements of the FHWA and the NCHRP  Report 350.
  To prevent misunderstanding by others, this  letter of acceptance, designated as number B-164  shall not be reproduced except in full. This letter, and the test documentation  upon which this letter is based, is public information. All such letters  and documentation may be reviewed at our office upon request.
  This acceptance letter shall not be construed as  authorization or consent by the FHWA to use, manufacture, or sell any patented  device for which the applicant is not the patent holder. The acceptance  letter is limited to the crashworthiness characteristics of the candidate  device, and the FHWA is neither prepared nor required to become involved in  issues concerning patent law. Patent issues, if any, are to be resolved  by the applicant.Sincerely yours,
        Signature of George E. Rice, Jr.
      George E.  Rice, Jr. 
        Acting  Director, Office of Safety Design
        Office  of SafetyEnclosures U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Highway Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

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