USA Banner
  U.S. flag
              An official website of the United States government Here's how you knowOfficial US Government Icon
              **Official websites use .gov**A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
            Secure Site Icon
              **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                  A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
 U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation
 Search DOT
            Search
                    About FHWAFHWA Organization
                Headquarters Offices
                Field Offices
                Strategic Plan
                Business Opportunities
                Staff Directories
                Careers
                Highway History
                Contact UsProgramsAcquisition Management
                Civil Rights
                Federal Lands Highway
                Infrastructure
                Innovative Program Delivery
                Operations
                Planning, Environment, and Realty
                Policy
                Research, Development, and Technology
                Safety
                Browse by TopicsResourcesCore Highway Topics
                Federal Aid Essentials
                Automation
                Complete Streets
                Laws and Regulations
                Policy & Guidance Center
                Section 508
                Publications and Statistics
                Professional Development
                National Highway Institute
                Resource Center
                Accessibility Resource Library
                FHWA Research LibraryNewsroomPress Releases
                Speeches & Testimony
                Photos
                Videos
                Media ContactsMenu FHWA Highway Safety Programs Home
                        Safety
                        Roadway Departure Safety
                        Reduce Crash Severity
                        Hardware Eligibility Letters


            
            In This Section
        Roadway Departure Safety
                Strategic Approach
                                Strategic Plan
                Crash Emphasis Brochures
                Focused Approach
                Noteworthy Practices
                Partner Resources
                Keep Vehicles on the Road
                                Pavement Friction
                Horizontal Curve Safety
                Rumble Strips and Rumble Stripes
                Nighttime Visibility
                Provide for a Safe Recovery
                                SafetyEdge
                Clear Zones
                Reduce Crash Severity
                                Overview
                Hardware Eligibility Letters
                Focus on Reducing Rural Roadway Departures (FoRRRwD)
                                Overview
                All Public Roads
                Proven Countermeasures
                Systemic Approach
                Safety Action Plans
                FoRRRwD Resources
                
                Safety Eligibility Letter B-134C (2008)
  
  **Hardware Type:**
            Longitudinal Barriers and Bridge Rails
                          **Code:**
            B-134C (2008)
                          **Date:**
            07/28/2008
                          **Testing Criteria:**
            NCHRP 350
                          **Manufacturer:**
            Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
                          **Device Description:**
            (2008) 12M Vulcan Barrier and Vulcan Barrier Anchor System
                          **View PDF:**
            b134c2.pdf (2.58 MB)
    
    Safety Eligibility Letter B-134C

			

			

			 

			**Download Version**PDF [258 MB]

			

			DOT logoU.S. Department of Transportation**Federal Highway Administration**

			1200 New Jersey Ave. S.E.Washington, D.C. 20590

		  July 28, 2008

			Reply Refer To: HSSD/B-134C
Mr. Barry Stephens
  Sr. Vice President Engineering
  Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
  3617 Cincinnati Avenue
  Rocklin, CA. 95765
Dear Mr. Stephens:
This letter is in response to your request for Federal Highway Administration (FHW A)
acceptance of a roadside safety system for use on the National Highway System (NHS).
Name of system:
 12M Vulcan Barrier and Vulcan Barrier Anchor SystemManufacturer:
 Energy Absorption Systems, Inc. (EASI)Type of system:
 Steel tlrie beam portable barrier systemTest Level:
 NCHRP Report 350 TL-3Testing conducted by:
 E-Tech Testing Services, Inc.Date of request:
      March 10, 2008Date of completed package:
 March 10, 2008You requested that we find this system 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."
**Requirements**
Roadside safety systems should meet the guidelines contained in the NCHRP Report 350, "Recommended Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway Features."  FHWA Memorandum "Action: Identifying Acceptable Highway Safety Features" of July 25,  1997, provides further guidance on crash testing requirements of longitudinal barriers.
**Description**
The 12-Meter Vulcan portable longitudinal barrier segment is shown in the enclosed drawing for  reference. Each segment is 8 13 mm tall × 546 mm wide × 11 ,754 mm long (32 in × 21.5 in ×
  38.6 ft) and weighs 1185 kg (2612 pounds). The 12M Vulcan segments incorporate six thrie beam 
  guardrail panels integrated into both sides at a height designed to optimize vehicle 
  redirection. The design also incorporates a lower rub rail along the entire length to help redirect 
  the wheels of impacting vehicles. Thirteen steel bulkheads are incorporated into each segment to 
  help distribute impact loads from one side to the other. A lifting tab is built into the top of the center bulkhead to permit easy grappling and transport. The ends of each Vulcan incorporate
  tabs that allow the pinning together when segments are butted together. Pinning is accomplished
  using 48 mm (2 in) diameter (OD) steel pins with a wall thickness of 10 mm (0.39 in). To
  minimize corrosion, all Vulcan components are hot dipped galvanized. When installed in
  continuous straight segments, a gap-filling steel plate can be added which helps the pinned joint
  support a bending moment, thereby reducing lateral deflection. These gap-filling steel plates
  were used in the crash test you submitted for review. You noted that the 12M Vulcan's end
  bulkheads can also be used to connect an appropriate crash cushion to protect the exposed end of
  a run of 12M Vulcan.
You noted that the 12M Vulcan segments used in the crash test was restrained from moving
laterally by a new Vulcan Barrier Anchoring System (VAS). This system consists of a 9.5 mm x
76.2 mm (0.37 in x 3 in) ASTM A-36 steel strap that can be inserted through the base of the 12M
Vulcan and then anchored to a rigid surface using (2) two 19 mm diameter by 250 mm long (3/4
in x 10 in) threaded rods (made from ASTM A 193 steel) which are locked into their respective
anchor holes using Energy's MP-3 anchoring compound.
**Crash Testing**
To test worst case impact conditions, NCHRP 350 test 3-11 was conducted into the 12M Vulcan
  Barrier anchored using the new VAS. The test system consisted of four freestanding 12M
  Vulcan segments pinned together and anchored with three VAS straps per 12M Vulcan section.
  Each VAS strap was held down with two MP-3 threaded rods embedded into concrete or asphalt
  at a depth that was appropriate per manufactures recommendations. The impact point for this
  test is identified and the test data summary page is enclosed for reference. The test was
  successful, with the 2000p vehicle being smoothly redirected at a shallow angle back into the
  traffic flow. Maximum dynamic deflection of the upper portion of the 12M Vulcan during this
  anchored test was 300 mm (12 in). You noted that the deflection at the base of the Vulcan
  Barrier was 76 mm (3 in). NCHRP Test 3-10 was waived as the original Vulcan Barrier was
  tested using the 820C vehicle.
**Findings**
Based upon the successful completion of the aforementioned 350 test, we concur that the Energy
  Absorption Systems' 12M Vulcan Barrier meets the NCHRP Report 350 criteria for Test 3-11.
  Successful completion of this test qualifies the 12M Vulcan for use on the NHS as TL-2 or TL-3
  barrier under the range of conditions tested, when such use is acceptable to a highway agency.
  We also concur that the Vulcan Barrier Anchoring System is an acceptable anchoring system that
  can be used where lateral deflection of the barrier must be controlled, with lateral displacement
  at TL-3 impact conditions expected to range from 76 mm (3 in) to 300 nm1 (12 in). The
  freestanding, unshielded end of this design is not crashworthy and requires either shielding with
  a suitable impact attenuator or introduced outside the appropriate clear zone. However we do
  concur that since the 12M Vulcan has the same design characteristics and end features as the
  already accepted 4M Vulcan, the same end treatments are also acceptable (reference the FHW A
  acceptance letter B-134, dated February 14, 2005).
Please note the following standard provisions that apply to FHW A letters of acceptance:
This acceptance is limited to the crash worthiness characteristics of the systems and does not
  cover their structural features, nor conformity with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
  Devices.
Any changes that may adversely influence the crashworthiness of the system will require a  new acceptance letter.
  Should the FHW A discover that the qualification testing was flawed, that in-service  performance reveals unacceptable safety problems, or that the system being marketed is  significantly different from the version that was crash tested, we reserve the right to modify  or revoke our 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 it will meet the crashworthiness requirements of the FHW A and the NCHRP  Report 350.
  To prevent misunderstanding by others, this letter of acceptance is designated as number  B-134C 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.
  The Vulcan and 12M Vulcan Barriers are patented products and considered proprietary. If
    proprietary systems are specified by a highway agency for use on Federal-aid projects, except exempt, non-NHS projects, (a) they must be supplied through competitive bidding with  equally suitable unpatented items; (b) the highway agency must certify that they are essential  for synchronization with the existing highway facilities or that no equally suitable alternative  exists; or (c) they must be used for research or for a distinctive type of construction on  relatively short sections of road for experimental purposes. Our regulations concerning  proprietary products are contained in Title 23, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 635.411.
  This acceptance letter shall not be construed as authorization or consent by the FHW A to use,  manufacture, or sell any patented system for which the applicant is not the patent holder.  The acceptance letter is limited to the crashworthiness characteristics of the candidate  system, and the FHW A 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 David A Nicol*/*
      
      David A. Nicol, P.E.
            Director, Office of Safety Design
            Office of Safety2 Enclosures

Return to top
Diagram: Vulcan Barrier Anchoring System

General InformationTest Agency
    E-TECH Testing Services, IncTest Designation
    NCHRP 350 Test 3-11Test No.
    0 1-8430-005Date
    3/2/07Test ArticleType
    VulcanTM Barrier with Concrete Anchoring 
      System. Segments 12000 × 813 × 546 mm 
      (L×H ×W). 1094 kg per SegmentInstallation Length
    (4) pinned Segments 48 m overallMaterial
of key elements
12 Ga. AASHTO M180 galvanized steel
  Panels, nom. 1-1⁄2" Sch 80 ASTM A53 pipe
  Pins.9.5 × 76.2mm ASTMA36AnchorStrapsFoundation and Anchoring
    Nominal 27.6 MPa concrete pad w/Vulcan
      Strap Anchoring System (3) per 12 m      Segment with (2) 250 mm long ASTM A 193 B7
      Studs per strap at nominal 200 mm      embedment using MP-3 Anchoring SystemTest VehicleType
    Production ModelDesignation
    2000PModel
    1988 GMC C2500MassCurb
    1923Test inertial
    1987Dummy
    N/AGross Static
    1987Impact ConditionsSpeed (km/h)e
    101.8Angle (deg)
    25Impact Severity (kJ)e
    141.8
Exit conditionsSpeed (km/h)
	56.6Angle (deg - veh. e.g.)
	4Occupant Risk ValuesImpact Velocity (m/s)x-direction
	5.5y-direction
	4.8Ridedown Acceleration (g's)x-direction
	-9.0y-direction
	13.2European Committee for Normalization (CEN) ValuesTHIV
	25.3PHD (g's)
	13.5ASI
	0.9Test Article Deflections (m)Dynamic
  0.3Permanent
 0.3Vehicle Damage (Primary Impact)
ExteriorVDS
	LFQ-4CDC
	HLFEW1InteriorVCDI
	LF0001000Maximum Deformation
	62Post-Impact Vehicular Behavior (deg - rate gyro)Maximum Roll Angle
	31.5Maximum Pitch Angle
	16.7Maximum Yaw Angle
	38.2**Figure 1. Summary of Results – Vulcan Barrier Anchoring System NCHRP 350 Test 3-11** U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Highway Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

202-366-4000Subscribe to email updates
                    About
  

        
              About FHWA
                Careers
                Org Chart
                Staff Directories
                Work with UsPrograms
  

        
              Acquisition Management
                Civil Rights
                Federal Lands Highway
                Infrastructure
                Innovative Program Delivery
                Operations
                Planning, Environment, and Realty
                Policy
                Research, Development, and Technology
                SafetyPolicies, Rights, Legal
  

        
              About DOT
                Accessibility
                Budget and Performance
                Civil Rights
                FOIA
                Information Quality
                No FEAR Act
                Office of Inspector General
                Privacy Policy
                USA.gov
                Web Policies and Notices
                Web StandardsNews & Events
  

        
              Newsroom
                Press Releases
                Speeches & Testimony
                Media Contacts
                Connect with Us