This event is free for ACRS members and $35 for non-members. Learn more about ACRS Membership here.
PRESENTATION OVERVIEW
Inconsistency in the design of traffic barriers for bridges has been identified as a major issue in current practice throughout Australia and New Zealand. The need for standardised solutions has been recognised by road jurisdictions, consultants, and contractors. Key concerns include the determination of appropriate barrier performance levels, structural design criteria, the lack of standard barrier design details, guidance on retrofitting existing bridge barriers, bridge approach barriers and overpass bridge support protection.
To address this, Austroads commissioned NTRO to conduct a review of the Austroads Standardised Bridge Barrier Design Report AP-R445-13 1 based on current research, guidance, and standards. The project also aimed to verify compliance of bridge barrier designs and guidelines against the relevant Australian Standards that have been recently updated, and the American Association of Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH). To achieve this a comprehensive literature review was undertaken, full scale crash testing was conducted and Finite Element Modelling created and calibrated.
This presentation will provide overviews of:
• The project and updated Austroads Standardised Bridge Barrier Design Guideline,
• Full-scale crash testing conducted, and
• Finite Element Modelling of the crash test.
PRESENTER – Nigel Powers
Nigel is the National Technical Leader – Structures at NTRO. He has over 18 years’ experience in the Victorian public service including VicRoads (now DTP Victoria) and Major Road Projects Victoria (now VIDA Roads). During this time, Nigel reached Director level and has worked across numerous aspects of road assets including the planning, design, construction, maintenance and management of bridges, structures, pavements and related transportation assets.
Nigel has practical experience in program delivery, project management and asset management of transportation assets. His technical focus is bridges and other related structures with experience throughout the life cycle of a structure and is acknowledged nationally and internationally for this work. His experience includes design, inspection, assessment, asset management, network management, construction, maintenance and operation. He was responsible for the maintenance, management and operation of the West Gate Bridge for 5 years, bridge asset network development and delivery across Victoria and has developed and delivered numerous technical documents, training and standards including AS 5100 – Bridge Design Code. Nigel is a leader within the bridge industry and is a nominated representative with Standards Australia and is currently the President of IABMAS Australia and a member of the IABMAS Executive Committee
