Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
  • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
  • E01F15/00—Safety arrangements for slowing, redirecting or stopping errant vehicles, e.g. guard posts or bollards; Arrangements for reducing damage to roadside structures due to vehicular impact
  • E01F15/02—Continuous barriers extending along roads or between traffic lanes
  • E01F15/08—Continuous barriers extending along roads or between traffic lanes essentially made of walls or wall-like elements ; Cable-linked blocks
  • E01F15/081—Continuous barriers extending along roads or between traffic lanes essentially made of walls or wall-like elements ; Cable-linked blocks characterised by the use of a specific material
  • E01F15/086—Continuous barriers extending along roads or between traffic lanes essentially made of walls or wall-like elements ; Cable-linked blocks characterised by the use of a specific material using plastic, rubber or synthetic materials
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
  • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
  • E01F15/00—Safety arrangements for slowing, redirecting or stopping errant vehicles, e.g. guard posts or bollards; Arrangements for reducing damage to roadside structures due to vehicular impact
  • E01F15/02—Continuous barriers extending along roads or between traffic lanes
  • E01F15/08—Continuous barriers extending along roads or between traffic lanes essentially made of walls or wall-like elements ; Cable-linked blocks
  • E01F15/081—Continuous barriers extending along roads or between traffic lanes essentially made of walls or wall-like elements ; Cable-linked blocks characterised by the use of a specific material
  • E01F15/085—Continuous barriers extending along roads or between traffic lanes essentially made of walls or wall-like elements ; Cable-linked blocks characterised by the use of a specific material using metal
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
  • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
  • E01F8/00—Arrangements for absorbing or reflecting air-transmitted noise from road or railway traffic
  • E01F8/02—Arrangements for absorbing or reflecting air-transmitted noise from road or railway traffic specially adapted for sustaining vegetation or for accommodating plants ; Embankment-type or crib-type noise barriers; Retaining walls specially adapted to absorb or reflect noise
  • E01F8/027—Arrangements for absorbing or reflecting air-transmitted noise from road or railway traffic specially adapted for sustaining vegetation or for accommodating plants ; Embankment-type or crib-type noise barriers; Retaining walls specially adapted to absorb or reflect noise with external support, e.g. wall facing
  • E01F8/028—Through-type, e.g. between adjacent kerbs

Definitions

• the present invention generally relates to road safety barriers, and in particular to those barriers which are capable of decelerating automobiles in a controlled manner, and of preventing from vaulting goods vehicles having a high center of gravity and a weight of more than 40 tons.
• the barrier of the present invention may form -according to one of its embodiments- a two-row traffic divider comprising an amount of earth interposed between the two rows, and according to a further embodiment, a lateral barrier.
• An object of the present invention is to realize a road safety barrier of the kind of a two-row traffic divider with an interposed amount of earth, or of the kind of a lateral barrier, having all features required for preventing vaulting by goods vehicles, and at the same time for protecting the passengers of automobiles.
• the present invention solves this problem by providing a traffic divider comprising a container (receptacle) of earth or the like, which withstands high-energy impacts due to its mass, and two continuos structures including deformable modules, arranged on both sides of the container, wherein the different deformable modules are connected to each other by means of restrained joints, using separate connection elements such as tubes, cables (ropes), section bars, etc. , and are laid on the support
• the deformable structure arranged on one side (and on the opposite side) of the earth container forms in fact itself a "barrier", and will be capable of reducing in a controlled manner the velocity of an automobile, by means of one or more of the following mechanisms:
• the very configuration of the deformable structure or "barrier”, which may be of the New Jersey kind, may contribute to reduce the velocity in a controlled manner;
• the plastic-made deformable modular elements are filled with salt water or sand in order to obtain the required weight for resisting, in the required way, to the impact caused by the automobile.
• deformable steel-made elements their very weight and the resistance provided by the latticework of their reinforcement elements, will withstand the impact of the automobile.
• the deformable structure arranged on each side of the earth container will be formed by steel sheets with a New Jersey profile and a reduced thickness, which are simply laid on the support (curbstone or pavement).
• a salt or generally an antifreeze (antifreezing substance) will be mixed to the water contained in the modular plastic elements, to avoid that the deformable structure behaves as a rigid structure upon impact by a vehicle, during the winter, and in order to avoid at the same time that the water which could escape from the barrier elements, forms ice on the pavement.
• the modular elements of deformable plastics are not completely filled with salt water, instead they are only partially filled, so as to reach the necessary mass (weight) and the optimum capability of deforming themselves when they are hit by a light vehicle. It would also be possible to fill completely the plastic elements, but in this case the capability of the barrier of deforming itself would be reduced, because the liquid would be immediately "compressed".
• the central container - whose function is to limit or to prevent the backward movement of the barrier upon impact by a goods vehicle - may be filled with different materials of different densities, as will be explained in the detailed description of the invention.
• the weight of the container central component of the barrier
• the present invention makes use of the aforementioned deformable structure
• Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a two-row traffic divider of the New Jersey type, made from plastic material and comprising two continuous (but modular) structures on the two sides of the earth container, wherein gaps are formed between the plastic-made components and the earth container;
• Fig. 2 shows a barrier which is similar to the barrier of Fig. 1, except for using plastic-made structures with a profile different from the New Jersey (NJ) profile and having appropriate longitudinal reinforcement offsets;
• Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a two-row traffic divider, wherein the two deformable structures on both sides of the earth container are steel-made; also in this case a gap is present on both sides of the container ⁇
• Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view analogous to Fig. 1, omitting however the gaps between the earth container and both modular deformable structures;
• Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a lateral plastic barrier in presence of an artificial trench providing excellent protection of the environment;
• Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a plastic-made lateral barrier, installed in the vicinity of an embankment slope.
• Fig. 1 shows a central container (receptacle) 1 which contains an amount of "earth" 2 therein.
• the central container 1 is bordered by two respective plastic-made, New Jersey type modular structures 3, 3', on both of its sides facing the two carriageways.
• Each module of the structures 3, 3' is perfectly sealed and contains water which not necessarily fills it up completely, as shown in the drawing.
• the various modules are the deformable elements in case of an impact caused by an automobile, and they are longitudinally connected so as to form a chain, using appropriate means such as ropes, tubes, section bars, flat bars, etc.
• the connection may be carried out using tubes or ropes (cables) which pass through sheaths or guides 4; said guides are already realized during moulding of the modular plastic barriers.
• These longitudinal reinforcement elements will be mutually fixed at the head portions, by means of pins or other systems of mutual connection (e.g. restrained joint) .
• a male-female connection will be done between each module and the contiguous one.
• the weight of the water will provide a certain resistance against the impact caused by an automobile, and moreover, the capability of both structures 3,3' of deforming themselves, and their capability of moving towards the earth container 1 , due to the presence of the gaps 5, makes possible to decelerate the automobile in a controlled way.
• a goods vehicle causes instead the immediate backward displacement of the structures 3, 3' and their complete breakage at the impact region, but the goods vehicle will be stopped by the central container 1.
• the water contained inside the structures 3, 3' will be mixed with an antifreeze or a salt.
• earth means a wide group of materials, e. g. loam soil mixed with natural or artificial soils and materials, of variable densities in order to obtain the required mass.
• Light materials in this group may be pumice, expanded clay, polystyrene, etc. , whereas as heavy materials it is possible to use a heavy volcanic aggregate, slags of steel plants, etc.
• the granulometry of this "earth” may be appropriately chosen so as to limit the voids and thereby obtain the required resistance (weight).
• the modular structures 3, 3' are simply laid on the support 6 , which may be formed by the curbstone or pavement.
• the container (receptacle) 1 may form a continuous caisson or tank, or alternatively it may comprise a plurality of separate blocks (receptacles) which are either in mutual contact or separated by gaps.
• the material used to manufacture the container 1 could be concrete, plastics, steel, etc.
• the container 1 could also be formed by a frame supporting nonwoven fabric or a permeable material allowing the flow of rainwater therethrough.
• holes 7 are provided on the bottom of the container 1 in order to be able to drain the rainwater.
• Fig. 2 shows an alternative of the embodiment of Fig. 1, with modular elements having a profile different from the New Jersey profile, and having offsets 8 and a different shape, even if the manufacturing material is again plastics.
• Fig. 3 shows a third realization of the modular elements, in which these elements are made of steel and have a New Jersey profile. According to this solution, the steel-made deformable structures 23, 23' are formed by a "mantle" or covering 10 having a New Jersey profile, welded to a certain number of reinforcement lattice-like structures 12 which are also used as supports.
• the mantle 10 extends along the whole length of each module of the structures 23, 23'.
• the latticework used as reinforcement indicated by the number 12
• the vertical rear walls 11 extends only along limited distances (e.g. 10-20 cm) and each latticework is welded to the front NJ mantle 10. Therefore, also the vertical rear walls 11 (included in the lattice-like reinforcement structures 12) have the same extension. Consequently, the deformable steel-made structures 23,
• the modules 23' are rearwardly "open” in this embodiment, apart from the regions formed by the standards (uprights) comprising the components 11, 12. It is obvious that the location of the reinforcement lattice structures (latticework) 12, may vary according to the realization; two latticeworks are arranged at the headportions , and an additional number of such spaced apart "uprights", e.g. two or three, is also provided for each module of the deformable structures 23, 23'. Alternatively, if no reinforcement is provided in the form of the latticeworks 12, the modules may be constructed so as to comprise only one sheet shaped in such a way as to include the NJ profile, the upper wall 15, and the rear wall 11.
• the thickness of the sheets will in each case be chosen so as to allow the deformation of the structure, also in case of a collision caused by an automobile. Therefore, the function of the barrier shown in Fig. 3 is again the same as that of the plastic barriers shown in Figs. 1 and 2, even if no contribution provided by the water mass exists in this realization. Obviously, the exact form of the latticework is not limited; the latter could in fact have different configurations, thereby varying its resistance.
• a further possible embodiment of a steel-made barrier uses only the mantles or coverings 10 (of Fig. 3), fixed at their upper end to the container 1 (which may be continuous or discontinuous), and laid on the curbstone or pavement at their lower end (this embodiment is not illustrated in the drawings). This solution may be applied also to the next embodiment shown in Fig. 5, including an artificial trench, and in the case of this embodiment the mantle or covering 10 would be fixed to the toe wall 16.
• the sheet (mantle) 10 will be reinforced by means of vertical plates in abutment against the container 1.
• connection is realized by means of steel plates bolted at the upper ends 15 of each pair of adjacent modules.
• connection may also be performed by means of horizontal bolts, at the foot of the modules (not shown) .
• Fig. 4 shows a realization with no gaps 5, which is otherwise identical to the realization of Fig. 1.
• the gaps 5 could also be omitted from the embodiments of
• the present inventive concept may also be applied to a high-protection (environmental protection) lateral barrier, as shown in Fig. 5.
• This Figure shows a plastic structure 3, identical to the structures 3, 3' shown in Figs. 1 and 4.
• Fig. 5 it would also be possible to use a deformable structure like that of Fig. 2 (plastics) or that of Fig. 3 (steel).
• the container 1 is not required in this case, since the toe wall 16 and the soil at the back of the toe wall provide in any case the necessary high resistance to impacts caused by goods vehicles.
• Fig. 5 the structure 3 is simply laid on the curbstone. Otherwise, the connections between the modules remain the same as those described with reference to the foregoing figures, and these connections are obviously different, depending on the manufacturing material which may be plastics or steel.
• the artificial trench 17 is well known per se , and due to the presence of trees, among the other things, it is used to reduce noise caused by vehicles, and to prevent diffusion of exhaust gases, particulate, pollutants, etc.
• Fig. 6 shows a cross-section of a plastic-made lateral barrier, which is located near an embankment slope.
• the deformable barrier may also in this case be realized using structures such as those denoted by 13 and 23 and their possible variants, which have been explained above.
• these stiffening offsets 8 could also be omitted and/or realized in different shapes and/or in a different number. They could also be arranged in the vertical direction instead of longitudinally, as in Fig. 2.
• plastics has been mentioned above as a possible one, but this word (plastics) must be interpreted widely, even if it is preferred that the same have the following properties.
• the plastics used to manufacture the barrier must be of a non toxic kind - during manufacturing - , it must also be obtainable from recycling processes, it must be treated to resist to UV rays and have a suitable structure to reach the required resistance, such as e.g. super-linear polyethylene.
• This plastics may have the abovementioned properties because of its intrinsic structure, or it may obtain these properties after combination with other materials or as a consequence of its manufacturing process (use of rotation moulds, pultrusion, etc.).

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Road Paving Structures (AREA)
• Refuge Islands, Traffic Blockers, Or Guard Fence (AREA)
• Road Signs Or Road Markings (AREA)

Priority Applications (3)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=11406284

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Cited By (9)

Families Citing this family (3)

Citations (10)

• 1998
  • 1998-12-29 IT IT1998RM000813A patent/IT1302955B1/it active IP Right Grant
• 1999
  • 1999-06-24 AU AU46464/99A patent/AU4646499A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1999-06-24 WO PCT/IT1999/000184 patent/WO2000039404A1/en active IP Right Grant
  • 1999-06-24 DE DE69924525T patent/DE69924525D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1999-06-24 EP EP99929690A patent/EP1144762B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime

Patent Citations (10)

Non-Patent Citations (2)

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