Telescoping Road Barrier Posts for Poor-Ground Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing road barriers with programmed deformation struggle to absorb kinetic energy effectively when installed on grounds with poor geotechnical reaction properties, necessitating costly ground-consolidation works to ensure proper installation.
Innovation Solution
A road barrier design featuring foundation posts embedded in the ground and supporting posts that telescope into these foundation posts, allowing the supporting posts to bend plastically upon impact, absorbing kinetic energy without requiring ground consolidation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If supporting posts are driven into ground with poor geotechnical reaction properties, then installation cost is reduced, but the road barrier cannot absorb kinetic energy effectively because posts are extracted without substantial plastic deformations
Solution Approach 1:
The road barrier is divided into two distinct post types: foundation posts embedded in the ground for stability, and supporting posts that telescope into the foundation posts and provide programmed deformation for energy absorption. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without requiring expensive ground consolidation.
Solution Approach 2:
The foundation post acts as an intermediary element between the ground and the supporting post. It provides a stable embedded base in poor geotechnical conditions while allowing the supporting post to undergo the necessary plastic deformations for energy absorption, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of stability and deformation.
2Reliability
If ground-consolidation works are carried out before driving supporting posts, then kinetic energy absorption capacity is improved, but installation cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the functions of ground anchoring and energy absorption into two distinct post components, the system eliminates the need for expensive ground consolidation works while maintaining both stability and kinetic energy absorption capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic connection system allows the supporting post to derive stability from the embedded foundation post without requiring external ground consolidation. The system serves itself by using the foundation post's embedded stability to enable the supporting post's deformation function.
3Reliability
If supporting posts are made to undergo substantial plastic deformations, then kinetic energy absorption is improved, but the posts are extracted from ground without proper anchoring in poor geotechnical conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the anchoring function (foundation post embedded in ground) from the deformation function (supporting post undergoing plastic deformations). This allows the supporting post to deform substantially for energy absorption while the foundation post remains stably anchored in the ground.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting post is nested within the foundation post through a telescopic connection, allowing the supporting post to undergo plastic deformations while remaining anchored to the stably embedded foundation post, thus maintaining both stability and energy absorption capacity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables effective energy absorption and reduced installation costs by eliminating the need for ground-consolidation works, utilizing relatively inexpensive components.
Implementation Method 1
the supporting posts are specifically structured and dimensioned to retain, within the carriageway, a car or other vehicle... in the event of impact the road barrier cannot absorb the kinetic energy of the vehicle as per the design specifications, because the supporting posts are simply unrooted and extracted from ground without undergoing substantial plastic deformations
Data Source
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AI summary
Road barrier (1) comprising: a series of foundation posts (2), which are adapted to be substantially entirely embedded in the ground in a substantially vertical position, one spaced side by side the other along the lateral edge of the road or carriageway; a series of supporting posts (3), separate and distinct from the foundation posts (2), which are adapted to be inserted/fitted each into the upper ends (2a) of a respective foundation post (2), so as to protrude cantilevered above the ground preferably while remaining in a substantially vertical position; and a series of oblong crossbeams (4), which are firmly fixed to the supporting posts (3) in a substantially horizontal position and one after the other, so as to form a longitudinal containment rail (5) that extends along the lateral edge of the carriageway at a predetermined height above the ground (P).