US. Department 

of Transportatioo 

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE 

Washington, D.C. 20590 

Federal Highway 

Administration 

March 27, 20 14 In Reply Refer To: 

HSST/B-249 

Mr. William Williams 

Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) 

3135 TAMU 

College Station, Texas 77843 

Dear Mr. Williams: 

This letter is in response to your request for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to 

review a roadside safety system for eligibility for reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway 

program. 

Name of system: Gravix Barrier/Retaining Wall System 

Type ofsystem: Longitudinal Barrier 

Test Level: AASHTO MASH TL4 

Testing conducted by: Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) 

Task Force 13 Designator: SGR50 

Date ofrequest: December 23, 2013 

Date of completed package: March 18, 2014 

Decision: 

The following device is eligible, with details provided in the form which is attached as an 

integral part of this letter: 

• Gravix Barrier/Retaining Wall System 

Based on a review of crash test results you submitted certifying the device described herein 

meets the crash test and evaluation criteria of the American Association of State Highway and 

Transportation Officials' Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH), the device is eligible 

for reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway program. Eligibility for reimbursement under 

the Federal-aid highway program does not establish approval or endorsement by the FHWA for 

any particular purpose or use. 

The FHWA, the Department ofTransportation, and the United States Government do not 

endorse products or services and the issuance of a reimbursement e ligibility letter is not an 

endorsement of any product or service. 
2 

Requirements 


To be found eligible for Federal-aid funding, roadside safety devices should meet the crash test 


and evaluation criteria contained in the American Association of State Highway and 


Transportation Officials' Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH). 


Description 


The device and supporting documentation are described in the attached form. 


Summary and Standard Provisions 


Therefore, the system described and detailed in the attached form is eligible for reimbursement 


and may be installed under the range of conditions tested. Please note the following standard 


provisions that apply to FHW A eligibility letters: 


• 	 This letter provides a AASHTO/ARTBA/AGC Task Force 13 designator that should 

be used for the purpose ofthe creation of a new and/or the update of existing Task 

Force 13 drawing for posting on the on-line 'Guide to Standardized Highway Barrier 

Hardware' currently referenced in AASHTO Roadside Design Guide. 

• 	 This finding of eligibility does not cover other structural features ofthe systems, nor 

conformity with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. 

• 	 Any changes that may influence system conformance with MASH will require a new 

reimbursement eligibility letter. 

• 	 Should the FHW A discover that the qualification testing was flawed, that in-service 

performance reveals safety problems, or that the system is significantly different from 

the version that was crash tested, we reserve the right to modify or revoke this letter. 

• 	 You are expected to supply potential users with sufficient information on design and 

installation requirements to ensure proper performance. 

• 	 You are expected to certify to potential users that the hardware furnished has the 

same chemistry, mechanical properties, and geometry as that submitted for review, 

and that it will meet the test and evaluation criteria ofthe MASH. 

• 	 To prevent misunderstanding by others, this letter of eligibility is designated as 

number B-249 and shall not be reproduced except in full. This letter and the test 

documentation upon which it is based are public information. All such letters and 

documentation may be reviewed at our office upon request. 
3 

• 	 This letter shall not be construed as authorization or consent by the FHWA to use. 

manufacture. or sell any patented system for which the applicant is not the patent 

holder. The FHWA does not become involved in issues concerning patent law. 

Patent issues, if any, are to be resolved by the applicanl. 

Sincerely yours, 

Michael S. Griffith 

Director, Office of Safety Technologies 

Office of Safety 

Enclosures 
Version 7.0 (3/13) 

Page 1 of 2 

Request for Federal Aid Reimbursement Eligibility 


OfHighway Safety Hardware 


Date of Request: December 20, 2013 r. New ,. (' Resubmission - A -

Name: William Williams Signature: ' (,,(/~0~ ~ 

.... 

QJ Company: Texas A&M Transportation Institute ~ ·e Address: 3135 TAMU, College Station, texas 77843-3135 .a Country: ::J 

In United States

To: Michael 5. Griffith, Director 

FHWA, Office of Safety Technologies 

I request the following devices be considered eligible for reimbursement under the Federal-aid 

highway program. 

System Type Submission Type Device Name /Variant Testing Criterion Test 

Level 

'B': Barriers (Roadside, (.'Physical Crash Testing Gravix Barrier/Retaining AASHTOMASH TL4 

Median, Bridge Railings) (' FEA & V&V Analysis Wall System 

By submitting this request for review and evaluation by the Federal Highway Administration, I certify 

that the product(s) was (were) tested In conformity with the AASHTO Manual for Assessing Safety 

Hardware and that the evaluation results meet the appropriate evaluation criteria in t he MASH. 

Identification of the individual or organization responsible for the product: 

Contact Name: Thomas Rainey Same as Submitter O 

Company Name: Earth Wall Products Same as Submitter O 

Address: 1427 Walcutt's Way, Marietta, GA 30064 Same as Submitter O 

Country: United States ofAmerica Same as Submitter O 

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 


New Hardware 

Gravix Traffic Barrier is the upper most section of the retaining wall system Gravix that can be used as a roadside 

barrier above a retaining wall or used alone to contain and redirect vehicles. The Gravix Traffic Barrier uses a 

moment cantilever that extends under the pavement and triangular in shape to capture resistance from the 

pavement subgrade materials. Made of precast reinforced concrete, the units are manufactured in a controlled 

facility to produce high quality materials without site forming and pouring issues. The Gravix Traffic Barrier 

interconnects using a tongue and groove with adjacent units to distribute loading and maintain alignment. 

CRASH TESTING 

A brief description of each crash test and its result: 

Required Test Narrative Evaluation Results Number Description 

4-10 (1100() Did not perform Test 4-10 based on prior testing WAIVER REQUESTED 

4-11 (2270P) Did not perform Test 4-11 based on prior testing WAIVER REQUESTED 
Version 7.0 (3/13) 

Page 2 of 2 

Required Test 

Number 

Narrative 

Description Evaluation Results 

4-1 2 (36000V) MASH TEST 4-12 (Single Unit Truck) was performed on Gravix 

Barrier System PASS 

4-20 (1 lOOC) 

4-21 (2270P) 

4-22 (lOOOOS) 

Full Scale Crash Testing was done in compliance with MASH by the following accredited crash test 

laboratory (cite the laboratory's accreditation status as noted in the crash test reports.): 

Laboratory Name: Texas Transportation Institute 

Laboratory Contact: William Williams, P.E. Same as Submitter D 

Address: 

Texas A&M Transportation Institute, 3135 TAMU, College 

Station, Texas 77843-3135 Same as Submitter D 

Country: United States ofAmerica Same as Submitter D 

Accreditation Certificate 

Number and Date: A2LA Certificate Number: 2821.01, Valid to April 30, 2015 

ATTACHMENTS 

Attach to this form : 

1) A copy of the full test report, video, and a Test Data Summary Sheet for each test conducted in 

support of this request. 

2) A drawing or drawings of the device(s) that conform to the Task Force-13 Drawing Specifications 

(Hardware Guide Drawing Standards). For proprietary products, a single isometric line drawing is 

usually acceptable to illustrate the product, with detailed specifications, intended use, and contact 

information provided on the reverse. Additional drawings (not in TF-13 format) showing details that 

are key to understanding the performance of the device should also be submitted to facilitate our 

review. 

FHWA Official Business Only: 

Eligibility Letter AASHTO TF13 

Number Date Designator Key Words 

B-249 March 19, 2014 SGRSO retaining wall system. MASH TL4, precast reinforced 

concrete 
N 

0 

N 

0 

"tJ 

~ 

z 

? 

VI 

0.000 s 0.328 s 0.656 s 0.984 s 

---- 183'·r • 

Goncral lnfonnatlon Impact Conditions Post.Impact Trajectory 

Test Agency... ... Texas A&M Tronsponat1on 1nsutute (TTI) Speed ....... .57.3mu'h Stopping Distance ..... ... 18J 611 awns11m 

Test Standard Test No.•...... MASH Test 4· 12 Angle .. 15 7 degrees 

TTI Test No .... .. . .. 51Cl602·EWP1 LocallOn/Ortentatlon •. BlldWnstnn~ Vehi cle Stablllty 

Date ............... 2013· 10--01 
 Impact Severit y 176 8 klp-11 Maximum Yaw Angle Matrunaion 

Tu t Arti cle Exit Con dltlons Maximum Pitch Angle. Maffuncllon 

Type .......... Long,1ucMal Barner 
 Speed Not obtanable Ma-cmum Roll Ang!e 42 degrees (fdm) 

Name .... ...... Gravuc Impact watl Angle .. .Not Obta11able Ve!l.de Snagg;ng No 

lnlla!labon Length ............•.. 152 ft 6Y. lr>dles 
 Occupant Risk V•luos Vehide Pocl<ebng .. . No 

Material 0< Key Elements .•.• Nmeteen 8-fi wide (lace width) • 7·n ta!! • Impact Vetooty 
 Test Article Donectlons 

8-fi deep stem G<a\/\x smg!e slope traffic Longludinal 
 7.9 tus 
 Dynamic....... Not obtainable 

barrier Ulllts lateral .. 
 .14 1 IVs 
 Permanent.. .... . 1 25 Inches 

Soll Typ o and Condition ...... Mechanically Stabilized Eann. Dry Rldedown Acc:elerobons Working 'Mchh .. Not obtainable 

Tut Veh l cle Long.tudmal.. .	 36G 
 Vehide Intrusion .... 101.1 Inches 

Type/Oesignabon .......... 10000$ 
 Lateral ... 52G 
 Vehicle Damage 

Make end Model .......... 2006 lnternat10na1 4200 
 THIV ... 
 .. NIA 
 VOS ....................... ........ NA 

Curb....... .. 13,740 lb 
 PHO ... 
 .. NIA 
 CDC . 11FLEW3 

Test Inertial. ................. 22,000 lb 
 ASI.. 
 . .. 061 Max. Exterior Deformation.. . .... 16 Inches 

Dummy ..• . ......... No dummy 
 Max. O.OSO·S Average OCOI. .•. LF0300000 

Gross Static ......................... 22,000 lb 
 Longitudinal · 1 BG Max. O=ipant Companment 

Lateral 52G Deformation... . .... 11 2 inches 

';-' 

Iv 	 Figure 5.7. Summary of Results for MASH Test .t-12 on Gravix Im pact Wall. 0 
6"[ 

l

36"[914) 

152] 

-----9-1/2"[241 ] 

84"[ 2134 1---'------'-----~ -------l 

SHEAR 

KEY 

_J 1 1"[279] --1--_....1-~ 

FRONT VIEW 

2012 

GRA VIX TL-4 BARRIER UNIT 

DOT 

GR~/~X Prec;m Wall System 

xxxoo 

EARTH WALL PRODUCTS SHEET NO. DATE 

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---­-­-­--96"[ 2438 ] ­ -­-­--­

6-l/4"[ 159 ] ...... 

i l.. • I 6-1 /4"[ 159 ] 

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EARTH W/\LL PRODUCTS SHEET NO. DATE 

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7"[ 178 ] 

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20 12 

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6"[ 152] 

7-1 /2"[ 19 1 ] 

24"[ 6 10 ] 

CONCRETE STRENGTH: 5000 psi 

UN IT WEIGHT: I 0.200 LBS. AP PROX. 

FOR ADDITION AL INFOR. PLEASE 

SEE FINAL ORAWINGS FROM EA RTH 

WALL PRODUCTS 

www.earthwalIproducts.com 

FINISHED 

PAV EMENT 

SURFACE 

l~---_.. t 1--- (33"[838 ]) 18"[ 457 ] 

4"[102 ] 6"[ 152 ]

'------'---'-r-~~-------' _J 

I ::-­ ..1 10-1 12"[ 267 ] 

L.:4"[ 102 ] 

SID E VIEW 

GRA VIX TL-4 BARRIER UNIT 

GR VlX 

DOT Prccast Vv'all System 

xxxoo 

SHEET NO. DATE 

3 of4 20 13-1 2-16 

EARTH WALL PRODUCTS 
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GRA VIX TL-4 BARRIER UNIT 

GRP. /IX 

DOT Prccast Wall System xxxoo 

EARTH \NALL PRODUCTS SHEET NO. DATE 

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