Evaluation of dynamic connection designs for road safety barriers

Bolted road safety barrier connections utilise slotted holes that are perpendicular to the direction of the safety barrier beam. Typically, eight M 16 bolts are needed in a lap joint configuration to make each connection. The design of the lap joint connection has remained unchanged for several years. Previous research work has successfully determined the performance characteristics of the bolted connections at quasi-static velocities. Performance improvements at quasi-static velocities have been identified. Therefore, representative test coupons using different design configurations to that of the original test coupon were examined at dynamic velocities. The laboratory test results show that improvements can be made if the current lap joint design were to be changed. Performance improvements such as the amount of energy that the connection was able to absorb and the maximum connection system force were observed.