Patent ID: 12247363

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides a vehicle barrier system and a method of constructing the vehicle barrier system in accordance with the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the claimed invention are reflected in the dependent claims. The claimed invention can be better understood in view of the embodiments described and illustrated in the present disclosure. In general, the present disclosure reflects preferred embodiments of the invention. The attentive reader will note, however, that some aspects of the disclosed embodiments extend beyond the scope of the claims. To the respect that the disclosed embodiments indeed extend beyond the scope of the claims, the disclosed embodiments are to be considered supplementary background information and do not constitute definitions of the invention per se.

In the Summary above and in this Detailed Description, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features, including method steps, of the invention as claimed. In the present disclosure, many features are described as being optional, e.g. through the use of the verb “may” or the use of parentheses. For the sake of brevity and legibility, the present disclosure does not explicitly recite each and every permutation that may be obtained by choosing from the set of optional features. However, the present disclosure is to be interpreted as explicitly disclosing all such permutations. For example, a system described as having three optional features may be embodied in seven different ways, namely with just one of the three possible features, with any two of the three possible features, or with all three of the three possible features. It is to be understood that the disclosure in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with/or in the context of other particular aspects or embodiments, and generally in the invention as claimed.

The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, a system “comprising” components A, B, and C can contain only components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C, but also one or more other components.

Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility).

A vehicle barrier system200and a method of constructing the vehicle barrier system200are provided. As shown inFIG.7, the vehicle barrier system comprises a barrier structure100that is integrally connected to a moment slab48. As best seen inFIGS.11-14, the barrier structure100and moment slab48may be installed on an elevated support structure, which may allow a vehicle76to approach the barrier structure100and dump material from the elevated support structure. For instance, as shown inFIG.11, the barrier structure100and moment slab48may be installed on an earthen support structure84comprising soil retained by a retaining wall60. The moment slab48functions as an approach slab for the vehicle76to approach the barrier structure100, which may be installed on a top side62of the retaining wall60to prevent vehicles76from accidentally backing or driving over the retaining wall60and falling downward to the ground below. The moment slab48has an upper surface86upon which a vehicle76may be operated. The integrated design of the vehicle barrier system200and construction elements of the system allow the system to be utilized for extremely large vehicles76, such as mining trucks76used to dump aggregate into feed hoppers78at mining sites. The system200may also be utilized for other large vehicles76, such as dump trucks, garbage trucks, semi-trailer trucks, box trucks, front-end loaders, or other similar types of vehicles capable of dumping or hauling material.

The barrier structure100comprises a concrete form10that is filled with concrete50during installation of the system200.FIGS.1-5illustrate the concrete form10of the barrier structure100before installation. The barrier structure100comprises a front curb section12and two opposing side curb sections14each connected to the front curb section12at opposing ends of the front curb section12. The barrier structure100also comprises a base26to which the front curb section12and side curb sections14are attached. At least a portion of the moment slab48is disposed between the side curb sections14, though the moment slab48may extend away from the front curb section12beyond the ends of the side curb sections14, as shown inFIG.7. The barrier structure100prevents a vehicle76from backing or driving beyond limits defined by the front curb section12and side curb sections14. For instance, when backing a mining truck76to dump material into a hopper78positioned on an opposing side of the retaining wall60, the front curb section12may be contacted by wheels of the truck76when positioning the truck76for dumping, as shown inFIGS.11and12. Further, the side curb sections14prevent the truck76from veering off of the moment slab48when backing up to the front curb section12. Thus, the front curb section12may be positioned directly over a top side62of the retaining wall60, as shown inFIGS.9-11. As such, the front curb section12is preferably a generally straight section of curb, which may be positioned above a generally straight section of a retaining wall60or adjacent to an edge of a similar type of elevated support structure. Each of the side curb sections14extends from the opposing ends of the front curb section12at an angle to the front curb section12. Each of the side curb sections14is also preferably a generally straight section of curb and preferably extends from the front curb section12at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the front curb section12. Thus, as best seen inFIG.2, the concrete form10preferably has a “U” shape but with the side curb sections14being generally perpendicular to the front curb section12at the point of attachment of each side curb section14. Both side curb sections14extend from the front curb section12in the same direction, which is a direction toward the moment slab48so that at least a portion of the moment slab48is disposed between the side curb sections14. The side curb sections14may alternatively extend from the front curb section12at an angle that deviates slightly from a 90-degree angle. For instance, the side curb sections14may be angled outwardly from the front curb section12at an angle slightly greater than 90 degrees. Alternatively, the transition from the front curb section12to each of the side curb sections14may be a curved corner section that effectively forms an angle of approximately 90 degrees between the front curb section12and each of the side curb sections14.

The front curb section12and side curb sections14define the concrete form10, which has a hollow interior16, as best seen in cross-sectional views shown inFIGS.3and4, which show one of the side curb sections14and the front curb section12, respectively. The concrete form10comprises a casing designed for wet concrete slurry to be poured into the casing to substantially fill the hollow interior16of the concrete form10. The front curb section12has a front wall18and a rear wall20, and each of the side curb sections14also has a front wall22and a rear wall24, which define the hollow interior16of the concrete form10. The hollow interior16may extend continuously from a first one of the side curb sections14into the front curb section12and into the second side curb section14. The rear walls20and24generally face outwardly from the concrete form10in a direction facing away from the moment slab48when the system200is installed, as shown inFIG.7. The front walls18and22generally face inwardly toward the moment slab48when the system200is installed.

The barrier structure100includes a base26attached to the rear wall20of the front curb section12and to each respective rear wall24of the side curb sections14. The base26comprises a generally horizontal piece of material, which preferably has a continuous horizontal surface without openings in the surface. The rear wall20of the front curb section12and each respective rear wall24of the side curb sections14extend upwardly from the base26. As best seen inFIGS.3and4, the rear walls20and24may preferably extend upwardly from the base26at an angle of 90 degrees so that the rear walls20and24are generally vertical when the system200is installed. As shown inFIG.4, the front wall18of the front curb section12may preferably be angled slightly toward the moment slab48so that the front wall18is not vertical but slopes slightly outward from the top of the front wall18to the bottom of the front wall18. The slightly angled front wall18may provide a larger contact area for the tires of the vehicle76when the tires impact the front wall18, which may help to avoid a pinch point between the front wall18of the front curb section12and the vehicle tires when the tires are bumped against the front wall18. In addition, as best seen inFIGS.1and3, the front walls22of the side curb sections14may preferably have flared bottom sections40that are angled outwardly from an upper portion of the front walls22as the flared bottom sections40approach the moment slab48. Thus, the flared bottom section40of each side curb section14is angled in a direction away from the rear wall24of the side curb section14as the flared bottom section40slopes downward to the moment slab48. An upper portion of the front walls22of the side curb sections14above the flared bottom sections40may also be angled slightly toward the moment slab48, which may be at approximately the same angle to the moment slab48as the front wall18of the front curb section12. The flared bottom sections40may then be angled at a smaller angle than the upper portion of the wall22relative to an upper surface86of the moment slab48. The flared bottom sections40may be angled to an extent that the flared bottom sections40will contact a wheel of a vehicle76before the upper portion of the wall22will contact the wheel if the vehicle inadvertently veers at an angle into one of the side curb sections14, in which case the vehicle76would not be properly aligned when backing up to the front curb section12. Thus, the flared bottom sections40may help to guide the vehicle76by immediately notifying an operator of the vehicle76upon contact with one of the flared bottom sections40that the vehicle is not properly aligned so that the operator may realign the vehicle. By providing such early notification to the operator before a more substantial impact with the barrier structure100, the flared bottom sections40may prevent damage to the wheels or other portions of the vehicle76while the barrier structure100also prevents a potential accident.

As best seen inFIGS.1,3, and4, the front wall18of the front curb section12has a lower edge28positioned above the base26, and each respective front wall22of the side curb sections14also has a lower edge30positioned above the base26so as to define an open portion32of the concrete form10, which allows direct access into the hollow interior16of the concrete form10. The open portion32extends vertically between an upper surface of the base26and the lower edges28and30of the front and side curb sections12and14. The open portion32also extends along a length of each of the side curb sections14and the front curb section12. During installation of the system200, the open portion32of the concrete form10allows reinforcing bars (“rebar”)54and concrete50used in constructing the moment slab48to extend into the interior16of the concrete form10in order to integrally connect the barrier structure100to the moment slab48. When the system200is installed, the upper surface86of the moment slab48may be generally level with the lower edge28of the of the front wall18of the front curb section12and with the lower edge30of each respective front wall22of the side curb sections14, as best seen inFIG.7.

As best seen inFIG.1, the barrier structure100may comprise a plurality of vertical support members38, which are connected to the concrete form10. Each respective one of the vertical support members38may be connected to the base26and to either the lower edge28of the front wall18of the front curb section12or to the lower edge30of the front wall22of a respective one of the side curb sections14. As best seen inFIGS.3and4, the barrier structure100may further comprise a plurality of internal support members36disposed within the hollow interior16of the concrete form10. Each respective one of the internal support members36may be connected to the front wall18and to the rear wall20of the front curb section12or may be connected to the front wall22and to the rear wall24of a respective one of the side curb sections14. Both the vertical support members38and the internal support members36may provide additional structural support to the concrete form10to help ensure structural integrity of the casing that forms the concrete form10during installation and operation of the system200.

As best seen inFIGS.1-4, the front curb section12may have an upper wall42connecting the front wall18and the rear wall20of the front curb section12, and each of the side curb sections14may also have an upper wall44connecting the front wall22and the rear wall24of each respective one of the side curb sections14. As best seen inFIGS.1and2, the upper wall42of the front curb section12may have a plurality of openings46extending through the upper wall42of the front curb section12, and the upper wall44of each of the side curb sections14may also have a plurality of openings46extending through the upper wall44of each of the side curb sections14. Each of the openings46preferably has a generally rectangular shape with rounded corners. The openings46provide a location into which wet concrete slurry may be poured into the interior16of the concrete form10. The openings46also allow air to be displaced from the interior16of the concrete form10as the concrete slurry is poured into the interior16and fills the concrete form10. The interior16of the concrete form10may be defined by the front walls18,22and rear walls20,24of the front curb section12and side curb sections14, as well as by the base26and the upper walls42,44of the front and side curb sections12,14. The interior16is open along the open section32of the concrete form10and may be delineated generally by the vertical support members38of both the front and side curb sections12,14. As best seen inFIGS.1and2, the base26may extend inwardly past the vertical support members38to provide a base that covers a greater surface area to enhance stability of the base26. As best seen inFIG.1, the side curb sections14may each have an end90, which may also be attached to the base26with vertical support members38. In addition, the open section32may extend to the ends90of each side curb section14.

As best seen inFIGS.3-5, the concrete form10may further comprise a plurality of studs34disposed within the interior16of the concrete form10. Each of the studs34may be attached to the front walls18,22or to the rear walls20,24of the front curb section12and side curb sections14, or may be attached to the base26. Studs34may also be optionally attached to the upper walls42,44of the front and side curb sections. Each of the studs34may extend inwardly into the interior16of the concrete form10from the surface to which the stud34is attached, preferably in a direction approximately perpendicular to the attachment surface. The studs34may be arranged in a pattern, such as in rows extending along a length of the front curb section12and the side curb sections14, as shown inFIG.5, which shows the interior of one of the side curb sections14viewed in a direction looking toward the end90of the side curb section14. The studs34ensure that the concrete50poured into the interior16of the form10does not delaminate from the concrete form10over time. The studs34may also provide positioning and tie points for the rebar54when installing the system200.

The moment slab48comprises concrete50, which forms the slab on which a vehicle76may be operated upon an upper surface86of the slab to approach the barrier structure100. The moment slab48is connected to both the front curb section12and to the side curb sections14by the concrete50that extends from the moment slab48through the open portion32of the concrete form10and upwardly into the hollow interior16of the concrete form10into both the front curb section12and the side curb sections14to form a monolithic structure that includes both the moment slab48and the barrier structure100. The concrete50extends both horizontally from the moment slab48into the hollow interior16of the concrete form10through the open portion32and then upwardly further into the interior16so that the concrete50may substantially fill the interior16of the concrete form10. As best seen inFIG.7, at least a portion of the moment slab48is disposed between the side curb sections14, though the moment slab48preferably extends past the ends90of the side curb sections14. Reinforcing bars54may be utilized within the concrete50of the moment slab48. Before pouring the wet concrete slurry, rebar54may first be tied to some of the studs34attached to interior surfaces of the front and side curb sections12,14within the interior16of the concrete form10.

The vehicle barrier system200may further comprise vertically oriented lateral support members56, which may be utilized to anchor the moment slab48in order to prevent lateral movement of the vehicle barrier system200relative to the earthen support structure84on which the system200is installed. As shown inFIGS.6and7, the system200may include two lateral support members56that are anchored in the concrete50of the moment slab48and in the earthen support structure84. As best seen inFIGS.9-12, each lateral support member56has an upper end80disposed within the concrete50of the moment slab48and a lower end82disposed within the earthen support structure84. The lateral support members56may prevent shifting of the moment slab48and the connected barrier structure100after repeated impacts over time to the barrier structure100by a vehicle76during normal use of the system200.

The vehicle barrier system200is designed to be constructed utilizing cast-in-place (CIP) concrete to form the moment slab48and to fill the interior16of the concrete form10of the barrier structure100. Thus, the concrete form10remains in place after installation. The concrete50, preferably in combination with rebar54, provides a mechanical connection between the moment slab48and the barrier structure100. The concrete50and rebar54may also provide flexural strength to the moment slab48to withstand long-term loading of large vehicles76. The concrete50utilized in constructing the system preferably has a 4,000 pounds per square inch (approximately 27,580 kPa) minimum compressive strength at 28 days. The concrete form10structure may be constructed of steel or a similar high-strength, rigid material. For instance, the base26and the walls of the front and side curb sections12,14may be constructed of three-eighths-inch (0.9525 cm) thick A36 mild steel. Vehicle76impacts directly contact the front walls18,22of the barrier structure100so that the CIP concrete within the interior16of the concrete form10of the barrier structure100is not damaged by direct impacts. To construct the concrete form10, the base26and the walls of the front and side curb sections12,14may be welded together at appropriate locations. For instance, the rear walls20and24of the front curb section12and side curb sections14, respectively, may be welded to the base26. The upper walls42and44may also be welded to the front walls18and22and to the rear walls20and24of the front curb section12and side curb sections14, respectively. In addition, the vertical supports38may be welded to both the base26and to the front walls18and22of the front curb section12and side curb sections14, respectively. Portions of the front walls22of the side curb sections14may also be welded to the front wall18of the front curb section12to form seamless connections between all walls so that there is no unwanted leakage of concrete slurry during construction.

As shown inFIGS.11and12, the vehicle barrier system200may be installed on an existing earthen support structure84. The earthen support structure may include a retaining wall60that retains soil of the earthen support structure84upon which the moment slab48is positioned, as seen inFIG.11. A portion of the base26of the barrier structure100may rest on a top side62of the retaining wall60that retains soil of the earthen support structure84. The retaining wall60may have a vertical exterior face88, and the rear wall20of the front curb section12may be vertically aligned with the face88of the retaining wall60, as shown inFIGS.9and11. Alternatively, as shown inFIG.10, the system200may be installed so that the barrier structure100includes a cantilevered section74that extends past the face88of the retaining wall60, which may allow for better positioning of the front curb section12relative to a dumping location, such as a hopper78for dumping aggregate into the hopper78. Alternatively, as shown inFIG.12, the vehicle barrier system200may be installed on an earthen support structure84that does not include a retaining wall, but instead has a stable rock wall having an exterior face88, which may be generally aligned vertically with the rear wall20of the front curb section12.

To install the vehicle barrier system200, the lateral support members56may first be driven into an earthen support structure84to a suitable depth to anchor the system200in order to provide lateral stability of the moment slab48due to vehicles76moving onto and off of the approach slab and impacting the barrier structure100during normal operation. The lateral support members56may comprise steel bearing H-piles (such as HP14x73 steel piling), or alternatively, the lateral support members56may comprise concrete drilled shafts, which may preferably be concrete piles that are eighteen inches (approximately 45.7 cm) in diameter. The size and depths of the lateral support members56may be customized for a specific installation site based on the size and weight of the vehicles76to be used with the system200or other design considerations specific to the installation site. As best seen inFIGS.6and7, fill material may then be added and a level subgrade surface58may be prepared on which the barrier structure100and moment slab48may be installed. The lateral support members56may be driven into the earthen support structure84so that the upper end80of each lateral support member56is disposed above the subgrade surface58before pouring the concrete slurry to form the moment slab48.

As shown inFIGS.9and10, a spacer72may be optionally installed on the top side62of the retaining wall60so that the spacer72is disposed between the base26of the barrier structure100and the top side62of the retaining wall60. The spacer72may comprise an elastomeric material that functions as an expansion joint between the concrete form10and the retaining wall60. The spacer72is preferably at least one inch (2.54 cm) thick and has a durometer measurement of 60-70 and a minimum tensile strength of 610 psi (approximately 4,205 kPa). The spacer72helps to minimize any point loading between the base26of the concrete form10structure and the top side62of the retaining wall60as well as to reduce any vibration transfer between these two structural components. The spacer72material may be placed along the entire length of the portion of the retaining wall60that is positioned directly below the concrete form10. The prepared subgrade58may be generally level horizontally with the spacer72so that portions of the base26of the concrete form10may be placed onto both the spacer72and the prepared subgrade58with the base26being disposed in a generally horizontal position with the base26laying flat on the prepared subgrade58. The width of the base26, which preferably extends inwardly past vertical support members38toward a central portion of the moment slab48, helps to ensure that the concrete50of the moment slab48does not leak through under the concrete form10as the concrete50is being installed. In addition, the width of the base26provides further stability so that the concrete form10may be cantilevered over the face88of the retaining wall60.

The concrete form10may then be moved into position resting on the prepared subgrade58with a portion of the form10also positioned above the retaining wall60. As best seen inFIGS.6and7, portions of the retaining wall60may extend upwardly above the prepared subgrade58on either side of the barrier structure100so that the top side62of the wall60on either side of the barrier structure100is higher than the top side62of the portion of the wall60that is positioned under the barrier structure100. To this end, additional concrete or other wall structure may be optionally installed onto the top of an existing retaining wall60during installation of the system200to extend the existing wall upwardly. Alternatively, initial design and construction of the retaining wall60may optionally include an indented section of the wall60sized to receive the concrete form10.

Once the concrete form10is in place, the moment slab48may then be installed. The upper end80of each lateral support member56may be cut if necessary for the upper end80to be disposed within the concrete50of the slab48. An approach slab concrete form52may be installed around a perimeter of the intended location of the moment slab48and at a desired slab height, which may be generally level with the lower edge28of the of the front wall18of the front curb section12and with the lower edge30of each respective front wall22of the side curb sections14, as best seen inFIG.6. Rebar54may also be installed within the perimeter of the approach slab concrete form52so that the rebar54will be disposed within the concrete50of the slab48after pouring concrete slurry to install the moment slab48. The rebar54may be inserted through the open section32of the concrete form10, and ends of the rebar54may be tied to studs34disposed within the interior16of the concrete form10. The rebar54may be tied to studs34extending upwardly from the base26of the concrete form10or extending horizontally from the rear wall20,24of the front curb section12or side curb sections14.

As shown inFIG.7, wet concrete slurry may then be poured within the approach slab concrete form52and also within the concrete form10of the barrier structure100. Concrete slurry may first be poured into the approach slab concrete form52to construct the moment slab48. The concrete slurry poured for the moment slab48may flow into the interior16of the concrete form10through the open portion32of the concrete form10. Concrete slurry may then also be poured directly into the interior16of the concrete form10through openings46. Concrete slurry may be poured into multiple individual openings46in both the front curb section12and the two side curb sections14so that concrete extends from the moment slab48into the interior16of the form10structure and upwardly toward the openings46of the front and side curb sections12,14. The concrete may be allowed to cure in order to form a monolithic structure in which the concrete50, as well as the rebar54, integrally connects the barrier structure100to the moment slab48. Once the concrete50has cured, the approach slab concrete form52may be removed. The CIP concrete form10of the barrier structure100is a stay-in-place form that will remain in place throughout the life of the system200. Concrete slurry may be poured into concrete form10through the openings46in the upper walls of the front curb section12and side curb sections14using an overhead or suspended concrete bucket until the interior16of the concrete form10is substantially filled with concrete, as best seen inFIGS.7and8. The openings46may also provide connection points for loading, unloading, and placing the concrete form10. The openings46may also provide worker access to the interior16of the concrete form10for installing rebar54and tying rebar54to studs34within the concrete form10. In addition, the openings46may provide access for concrete vibration equipment during installation of the system200.

As shown inFIG.8, backfill material64may be installed around the moment slab48to provide a smooth approach for vehicles76moving onto the slab48. The backfill material64may also be installed around the barrier structure100and up to an interior side of the retaining wall60. As also shown inFIG.8, one or more precast concrete barriers66may be optionally installed in a position aligned with the side curb sections14. The precast concrete traffic barriers66may help to align the vehicles76when moving into position atop the approach slab48prior to reaching the front and side curb sections12,14of the barrier structure100. Additional backfill may also be optionally added on a back side of the precast concrete barriers66to provide additional support for the barriers66. Past the end of the precast concrete barriers66, earth berms may also be optionally installed.

As best seen inFIGS.9-12, the barrier structure100may include a spanner plate68, which may be attached to the rear wall20of the front curb section12. The spanner plate68may at least partially span or cover a gap between the rear wall20of the front curb section12and a hopper78. The spanner plate68may help to limit any potential loss of aggregate or other material being dumped from a vehicle76into the hopper78due to material falling between the barrier structure100and the hopper78when material is dumped. By preventing material from falling when being dumped, the spanner plate68may also aid worker safety by preventing dumped material from falling onto workers that may be working in an area at the bottom of the retaining wall60. The spanner plate68may be constructed of the same material as the concrete form10, which is preferably steel, and may be attached to the concrete form10by welding the spanner plate68to the rear wall20of the front curb section12, preferably near the top of the rear wall20. One or more support members70may also be welded to the rear wall20and to the spanner plate68to provide additional structural support for the spanner plate68. The spanner plate68should not be attached to the hopper78because differences in vibration between the barrier structure100and the hopper78may cause damage to the barrier structure100, including the spanner plate68, or to the hopper76if these components are attached to each other. The width of the spanner plate68may be adjusted for different installation sites depending on the width of the gap to be spanned.

As shown inFIG.13, the barrier structure100may alternatively be installed on a top side of a foundation wall92, which may form part of a foundation93of a building, which may include a roof structure94covering the foundation wall and the vehicle barrier system200. Such an installation may be utilized when dumping refuse or other material inside of a warehouse or similar structure using a dump truck76or other type of dumping vehicle. Alternatively, as shown inFIG.14, the barrier structure100and approach slab48may be installed on an elevated structure95rather than on an earthen structure84or foundation93. The elevated structure95may be designed to support the moment slab48and barrier structure100in an elevated position for dumping material from the elevated structure95. The elevated structure95may include support members96that support an elevated horizontal structure97having an upper surface suitable for driving a vehicle76on the surface. The moment slab48that is connected to the barrier structure100may form only a portion of the horizontal driving structure97, as shown inFIG.14, or it may optionally form all of the horizontal structure. As shown inFIG.14, the system200may include a plurality of lateral support members56, which may be disposed within the concrete50of the moment slab48and also secured to the elevated structure95to anchor the moment slab48to the structure95in order to prevent lateral movement of the vehicle barrier system200relative to the structure95on which the system200is installed. The lateral support members56may be secured to the support members96or to the horizontal structure97or another suitable component of the elevated structure95. Such an installation may be utilized when installation on an earthen structure84or foundation93is not feasible. For instance, as shown inFIG.14, such an installation may be utilized for dumping material from an elevated position onto a floating barge99positioned adjacent to a dock or wharf98.FIGS.11-14illustrate various example installations of the vehicle barrier system200, though one of skill in the art should appreciate that the present system200may be utilized for other applications in which a vehicle76is used for dumping material, which may include installation of the system200on other types of elevated structures.

It should be further appreciated by one skilled in the art that the length of the front curb section12and the lengths of the side curb sections14may be varied and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. An appropriate length of the front curb section12disposed between the lower edges30of the front walls22of the side curb sections14, which may generally define the width of the curb barrier that may be impacted by a vehicle76backing up to the front curb section12, for a specific installation site may be determined by measuring the width of the specific type of vehicle76to be used at the site and then adding an allowance on either side of the vehicle76when the vehicle is centered between the side curb sections14. For instance, the barrier structure100may preferably be constructed with the front curb section12having an allowance of approximately five feet (approximately 1.5 meters) on either side of a centered vehicle76, which generally provides an operator of the vehicle sufficient clearance to position the vehicle between the side curb sections14without hitting the side curb sections14and also sufficient clearance to exit the vehicle76, if needed. In addition, in some installations, one of the side curb sections14may alternatively have a different length than the opposing side curb section14and thus may extend farther from the front curb section12than the opposing side curb section.

In addition, as best seen inFIGS.1and7, the height of the front curb section12above the moment slab48may be different than the height of the side curb sections14above the moment slab48. An appropriate height of the front curb section12for a specific installation site may be determined based on the height of the rear axle of the specific type of vehicle76to be used at the site, as well as the height of a tail section of the dump bed of the vehicle76when the dump bed is in the fully dumped position. In addition, an appropriate thickness of the front curb section12, which is defined by the distance between the front wall18and rear wall20, for a specific installation site may be determined based on the weight of the specific type of vehicle76to be used at the site, the tire height of the vehicle76, the tire wheelbase of the vehicle76, and the extent of any cantilevered section74of the barrier structure100. The minimum thickness of the front curb section12is preferably no less than fourteen inches (approximately 35 cm). It should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that these dimensions may be varied and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

It will be appreciated that the configurations and methods shown and described herein are illustrative only, and that these specific examples are not to be considered in a limiting sense, because numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various systems and configurations, and other features, functions, and/or properties disclosed herein. It is understood that versions of the invention may come in different forms and embodiments. Additionally, it is understood that one of skill in the art would appreciate these various forms and embodiments as falling within the scope of the present disclosure.