Full-Scale Testing and Performance Evaluation of Rockfall Concrete Barriers

Rockfall hazards are present throughout the state of Ohio. The Ohio Department of Transportation (DOT) employs Test Level 3 standard concrete barriers along the edges of roadways to contain rockfalls in high-risk areas. The performance of these barriers under impact from rocks on the ditch side and their effectiveness for rockfall catchment are relatively unknown. Full-scale impact tests were performed on concrete barriers to simulate the effects of impacts from rocks of various sizes and shapes. Numerous impacts were made at different sections and levels of the barriers to test their structural integrity and energy absorption capacity. The results from this study revealed that 32-in.-high precast concrete barriers with current Ohio DOT details had an impact energy absorption capacity of up to 24 kJ under a single impact. The corresponding energy absorption capacity of 42-in.-high cast-in-place concrete barriers was about 56 kJ under a single impact. Moreover, these barriers experienced severe cracking and spalling of concrete under impact loading. Several design modifications were studied in this test program. These modifications included reducing the spacing of rebars and rebar sizes, using welded wire fabric, and using different types of fibers in the concrete. The tests conducted on the modified concrete barriers showed an impact energy increase of more than 100% with the modifications suggested in this study. Barriers made from the modified designs also experienced significantly reduced extent and severity of cracking and a reduction in spalling and splashing of concrete under impact loading.