1200 New Jersey Ave., SE

 Washington, D.C. 20590

July 29, 2013

FHWA:HSST:NArtimovich:sf:x61331:7/24/13

File: s://directory folder/HSST/ B85F_ThrieKingBlock70%_Trinity.docx

cc: HSST: NArtimovich

In Reply Refer To:

HSST/B-85F

Mr. Don Gripne

Trinity Highway Products, LLC

2325 Stemmons Freeway

Dallas, Texas 75207

Dear Mr. Gripne:

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

review a modification to a roadside safety system for eligibility for reimbursement under the 

Federal-aid highway program. 

Name of system: Thrie Beam Guardrail with King Size King Block

Type of system: Semi Rigid Steel Beam Roadside Barrier

Test Level: NCHRP Report 350 TL-3

Testing conducted by: N/A

Task Force 13 Designator: N/A

Date of request: April 5, 2013

Decision

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

integral part of this letter:

• Thrie Beam roadside barrier with King Size King Block using 70% High Density 

Polyethylene.

Based on a review of crash test results submitted by the manufacturer certifying the device 

described herein meets the crash test and evaluation criteria of the National Cooperative 

Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 350, 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 of Transportation, and the United States Government do not 

endorse products or services and the issuance of a reimbursement eligibility 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 NCHRP Report 350 or 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. This modification

allows the use of the 70% HDPE material in the King Size King Block. This material was 

previously crash tested with w-beam guardrail. 

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 that standard Thrie Beam guardrail was crashtested under NCHRP Report 350. 

Please note the following standard provisions that apply to FHWA eligibility letters:

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

conformity with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

• Any changes that may influence system conformance with NCHRP Report 350 

criteria will require a new reimbursement eligibility letter.

• Should the FHWA 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 crash test and evaluation criteria of the NCHRP Report 350.

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

number B-85F 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. 

• 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 applicant.
3

• The King Blocks for W-beam and Thrie beam barriers are patented products and 

considered proprietary. If proprietary systems are specified by a highway agency for 

use on Federal-aid 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.

Sincerely yours,

Michael S. Griffith

Director, Office of Safety Technologies

Office of Safety

Enclosure
U.S. Deportment 

of Transportation 

Federal Highway 

Administration 

t\lr. Don Gripne 

rrinity lligh\\'ay Products. LLC 

::D~5 Stemmons Freeway 

Dallas. Texas 75207 

Dear i'vlr. Gripne: 

July 29, 2013 

1200 New Jersey Ave .. SE 

Washington, D.C. 20590 

In Reply Refer To: 

HSST/B-85F 

This letter is in response to your request for the Fcdcral ll ighway /\dminislration (FHWi\) to 

review a modification to a roadside safety s;.'stcm !'or eligibility for reimbursement under the 

Federal-aid highway program. 

Name of system: 

Type or system: 

Tesl l.e\·cl: 

Tes1ing conducted by: 

Task Force 13 Designalor: 

Date or request: 

Decision 

Thric Beam Guardrail with King Size King Block 

Semi Rigid Steel Beam Roadside Barrier 

NCII RP Report 350 TL-3 

N'A 

N/1\ 

April 5. 20 13 

The I()I!O\\'ing device is eligible. with detai ls provided in the form which is nuachcd as an 

integral part o!'this letter: 

• Thric Beam roadside barrier \\'ith King Size King Block using 70% lligh Density 

Polyethylene. 

Based on a rc,·ie\Y or crash test results submitted b~ the manul~\cturcr ccrti I) ing the de,·ice 

described herein meets the crash test and c\·aluation criteria or the National Coopcrati,·e 

1\igh\\ay Research Program (NCIIRP) Rcpon 350. the dc,·icc is eligible lor reimbursement 

under the Federal-aid high\\'a) program. Eligibility for reimbursement under the f-ederal-aid 

high\\'ay program does not establish appn)\'al or endorsement b) the Fll \Vi\ l()r any panicular 

purpose or usc. 

The Fl IWA. the Department oi'Transportation. anclthe Un ited States Government do not 

endorse products or services and the issuance ora reimbursement eligibility letter is not an 

cndnrscmcnt of any product or sen icc. 
Requirements 

To be found eligible tor Federal-aid funding. roadside safety de\·iccs should meet the crash test 

and evaluation criteria contained in the NCHRP Report 350 or the American Association of State 

llighway and Transportation Oflicials· tvtanual for Assessing Safety llardware (ivtASII). 

I>escription 

The device and supporting documentation arc described in the attached t<.mn. This modification 

allows the use of the 70% IIDPE material in the King Size King Block. This material was 

previously crash tested with w-beam guardrail. 

Summa11· and Standard Provisions 

Thcn:fore. the system described and detailed in the attached torm is eligible f()r reimbursement 

and may be installed under the range of conditions that standard Thric Beam guardrail was crashtested under NCHRP Report 350. 

Please note the following standard provisions that apply to FHWA eligibility letters: 

• This finding of eligibility docs not cover other structural features of the systems. nor 

conJonnity v.·ith the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. 

• Any changes that may inlluence system conformance with NCIIRP Report 350 

criteria will n:quire a new reimbursement eligibility letter. 

• Should the FHWA discover that the qualification testing was llawcd. that in-service 

pcrfom1ance reveals safety problems. or that the system is significantly different from 

the \'Crsion that was crash tested. we reserve the right to modifY or rc\ oke this letter. 

• You arc 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 crash test and evaluation criteria of the NCHRP Report 350. 

• To prevent misunderstanding by others. this letter of cligibi I ity is designated as 

number B-85F and shall not he reproduced except in full. This letter and the test 

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

documentation may he reviewed at our office upon request. 

• This letter shall not he construed as authorization or consent by the FHWA to usc. 

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

holder. The FHWA docs not become invoiYed in issues concerning patent law. 

Patent issues. if any. arc to h~.: resolved by the applicant. 
3 

• The King Blocks for W -beam and Thrie beam barriers are patented products and 

considered proprietary. If proprietary systems are specified by a highway agency for 

use on Federal-aid projects: (a) they must be supplied through competitive bidding 

with equall y 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 ofFederal Regulations. Section 635.411. 

Enclosure 

Sincerely yours, 

Michae l S. Griffith 

Director. Office of Safety Technologies 

Office of Safety 
Version 7.0 (3/13) 

Page 1 of 3 

Request for Federal Aid Reimbursement Eligibility 

Of Highway Safety Hardware 

Date of Request: June 19, 2013 Ci' New r Resubmission 

Name: DonGripne Signature: 

... 

cu Company: Trinity Highway Products, LLC ~ 

E Address: 5216 Brassfield Dr. SE, Olympia, WA 98501 

.a 

Country: ::I 

en USA 

To: Michael S. Griffith, Director 

FHWA, Office of Safety Technologies 

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

highway program. 

5ystemType Submission Type Device Name I Variant Testing Criterion Test 

Level 

'B': Barriers (Roadside, (i' Physical Crash Testing NCHRP Report 350 TL3 

KING KING SIZE BLOCK Median, Bridge Railings) (" FEA & V&V Analysis 

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 NCHRP Report 350 (Report 350) and that 

the evaluation results meet the appropriate evaluation criteria in the Report 350. 

Identification of the individual or organization responsible for the product: 

Contact Name: Brian Smith Same as Submitter D 

Company Name: Trinity Highway Products, LLC Same as Submitter D 

Address: 2525 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75207 Same as Submitter 0 

Country: USA Same as Submitter D 

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 

Modification to Existing Hardware Non-Significant- Effect is positive or Inconsequential 
Version 7.0 (3/13) 

Page 2 of 3 

The Thrie Beam King Block (known as the King Size King Block or King King Block) had an FHWA letter, CC-85C 

issued on January 13,2003. This letter was issued based on Pendulum Test KB-110 by Southwest Research. The 

Test Report is dated December 12, 2002. The title is: Impact Evaluation of A Recycled Plastic/Rubber Composite 

Blockout. The composition of the recycled material for the block consisted of 52% of high density polyethylene 

(HPDE) and 45% Ground Rubber. Letter B-85 E dated May 8, 2007 was issued based on a full scale crash test for 

the King Block with 70% HOPE. This test was conducted by SwRI. The report is NCHRP Report 350 Test 3-11 

Full-Scale Crash Evaluation of a G4-1 S Guardrail with Modified King-block Blockouts. The Test No. is SwRI X06, 

SwRI Project No 18.12886 dated December 18, 2006. 

The King Block used with W-beam guardrail has had several changes to the composition since it was first tested. 

Letter B-85 was issued based on a pickup test. The composition was 67% HPDE and 30% Ground Rubber. 

Letter B-85A was issued on July 10,2001 based on a Pendulum Test. The composition was changed to 52% 

HOPE and 45% Ground Rubber. 

FHWA letter B-850 was issued for a composition changed based on a Pendulum Test. The Composition was 

changed from 68.5% and 30% Ground Rubber. 

FHWA letter B-8SE dated May 8, 2007 was issued based on a full scale crash test with a composition material of 

70% HOPE, 28.7% Ground Rubber, 0.3% Blowing Agent, and 1% Color Concentrate. 

This request is for acceptance of the Thrie Beam King Block with the composition that is the same that is used 

with the King Block for W-Beam. This composition would be 70% HOPE, 28.7% Ground Rubber, 0.3% Blowing 

Agent, and 1% Color Concentrate. The shape and configuration of the Thrie Beam King Block will continue to 

be the same as in FHWA letter CC-8SC. The depth can also be increased to 12" for the MGS Transition or other 

systems requiring a 12" deep thrie beam block. 

This modification is considered Non-significant, Effect is Positive or Inconsequential. 

CRASH TESTING 

A brief description of each crash test and its result: 

Required Test Narrative Evaluation Results Number Description 

3-10 (820C) N/A 

S3-1 0 (700C) WAIVER REQUESTED 

The tet vehicle impacted the longitudinal barrier 1.30 m (4.25 ft) 

downstream of post 10 at 23.4 degrees, and laterally deflected the 

barrier 1.04 m (3.4 ft) (dynamically). Impact velocity of the test 

vehicle was measured using high-speed film analysis, and was 

determined to be 1 07.9 km/hr (67.0 mph). 

3-11 (2000P) NCHRP Report 350 states that the recommended impact severity PASS for Test 3-11 is 139. KJ (-1 0.8 kJ/+ 11.3 kJ). The actual impact 

severity of test X06 was 247.2 kJ, a deviation of +9.1 kJ from the 

nominal impact severity recommended in NCHRP Report 350. 

Given the impact severity of 147.2 kkJ, the equivalent impact speed 

of a 2000 kg vehicle impacting the longitudinal barrier at exactly 25 

degrees would be 103.3 km/hr (64.2 mph). 

3-20 (820C) N/A 

S3-20 (700C) WAIVER REQUESTED 

3-21 (2000P) WAIVER REQUESTED 

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: 

Laboratory Contact: 

Address: 

Country: 

Accreditation Certificate 

Number and Date: 

Attach to this form: 

Southwest Research Institute 

Oliver Harrison 

6220 Culebra Road 

San Antonio, TX 78238 

USA 

ISO 17025 

1110.02 March 31,2014 

ATTACHMENTS 

Version 7.0 (3/13) 

Page 3 of 3 

Same as Submitter 0 

Same as Submitter 0 

Same as Submitter D 

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

support of this requ est. 

2) A drawing or drawings of th e 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 th e 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-85F July 29, 2013 None Thrie Beam Blackout Recycled Materials 
I 

a 

Version 7.0 {3/13) 

Page 2 of 4 

Request for Federal Aid Reimbursement Eligibility 

Of Highway Safety Hardware 

Date of Request: June:1i!J~20'a _ (iNew r Resubmission .. -·- .. " . 

Name: OcJrt GrfPnl! . Signature: "J"~ ·l- ·. -~£. Ji.•. 

Company: 'IH~~PI'Oducts,U.C { 10: '., ~.: 

Address: 52i6~1dDr.SE. Olympfi..WA >~1. . .. 

Country: USA .. ~. ~ . ... .. ".- ... 

To: Michael S. Griffith, Director 

FHWA, Office of safety Technologies 

I I request the folloWing devices be considered eligible for reimbursement under the FederaJ-ald 

highway program. 

System Type Submission Type 

<i Physical Crash TesUng 

C FEA& V&V Analysis 

Oevke Name/Variant Testing Critarlon Test 

Level 

By submlttlns this request for review and evaluation by the Federal Hlshway Administration, I certify 

that the product(s) was (were) tested In conformity with the NCHRP Report 350 (Report 350) and that 

the evaluation results meet the appropriate evaluation criteria In the Report 350. 

Identification of the lndlvklual or orsanlzatlon responsible for the product: 

Same as Submitter . 

' Same as Submitter .. 

, Same as Submitter 

Same as Submltc&r ..