Roadway barrier

Abstract

A stand-alone, roadway barrier includes: an internal structural framework ( 5 ), ( 7 ), ( 9 ) which provides the barrier with rigidity for resisting collapse of the barrier in response to impact of a vehicle, panels ( 13 ) mounted to opposite sides of the structural framework for deflecting vehicles on impact with the barrier; and ballast ( 33 ) in a lower section of the barrier for contributing to the weight of the barrier.

1 . A stand-alone, self-supporting, lightweight, portable elongate roadway barrier that includes:
 (a) an internal structural framework for resisting collapse of the barrier in response to impact of a vehicle, the framework including interconnected steel framework members, the framework members including (i) upright members at opposite ends of the barrier and at least one upright member positioned between the upright end members, the upright members being in the form of plates extending perpendicular to the length of the barrier across the width of the barrier, the upright members dividing the barrier into spaces between the upright members along the length of the barrier, and (ii) at least one longitudinal member extending along on the length of the barrier and connected to each of the upright members;   (b) panels mounted to opposite sides of the structural framework for deflecting vehicles on impact with the barrier; and   (c) ballast in the form of blocks of concrete or other solid material in a lower section of the barrier positioned in the spaces separating the upright members of the structural framework.   
     
     
         2 . The barrier defined in  claim 1  wherein the internal structural framework provides sufficient rigidity for resisting direct collapse of the barrier in the regions of vehicle impact and from uncontrolled twisting of the barrier around the longitudinal barrier axis. 
     
     
         3 . The barrier defined in  claim 1  wherein the principal function of the side panels is to deflect a vehicle on impact of the vehicle against the barrier. 
     
     
         4 . The barrier defined in  claim 1  wherein the ballast provides mass to resist shunting action on vehicle impact that would move the barrier significantly from a preferred position on the ground. 
     
     
         5 . The barrier defined in  claim 1  wherein the side panels do not make a substantial contribution to the rigidity of the barrier. 
     
     
         6 . The barrier defined in  claim 1  wherein the longitudinal member or the lower longitudinal member when there are two or more longitudinal members is positioned at a height that is at or higher than 25% of the height of the barrier. 
     
     
         7 . The barrier defined in  claim 1  wherein the height of the ballast is lower than the height of the typical vehicle impact with the barrier. 
     
     
         8 . The barrier defined in  claim 1  wherein the side panels are made from steel. 
     
     
         9 . The barrier defined in  claim 1  wherein the ballast is connected to the structural framework or the side panels. 
     
     
         10 . The barrier defined in  claim 1  wherein the ballast includes a support element for mounting the ballast to the internal structural framework or to the side panels. 
     
     
         11 . The barrier defined in  claim 10  wherein the support element is in the form of a bracket, such as an angle iron bracket, that is bolted or otherwise fastened to the ballast and is adapted to cooperate with the internal structural framework or to the side panels to mount the ballast to the internal structural framework or to the side panels. 
     
     
         12 . The barrier defined in  claim 1  wherein the ballast includes a plurality of blocks positioned in spaces separating the upright end members and the upright member or members positioned between the upright end members. 
     
     
         13 . The barrier defined in  claim 1  wherein the barrier is at least 3 metres long. 
     
     
         14 . The barrier defined in any  claim 1  wherein the weight of the ballast is up to 55% of the total weight of the barrier. 
     
     
         15 . The barrier defined in any  claim 1  wherein the weight of the barrier is less that 350 kg per meter of length of the barrier. 
     
     
         16 . The barrier defined in  claim 1  wherein the weight of the structural framework and the side panels is less than 200 kg per meter of length of the barrier. 
     
     
         17 . A stand-alone, self-supporting, lightweight, portable elongate roadway barrier that is at least 3 metres long and weighs less that 350 kg per meter of length of the barrier and includes:
 (a) an internal structural framework for resisting collapse of the barrier in response to impact of a vehicle, the framework including interconnected framework members, the framework members including (i) upright members at opposite ends of the barrier and at least one upright member positioned between the upright end members, the upright members being in the form of plates extending perpendicular to the length of the barrier across the width of the barrier, and (ii) at least one longitudinal member extending along on the length of the barrier and connected to each of the upright members, and wherein the internal structural framework provides sufficient rigidity for resisting direct collapse of the barrier in the regions of vehicle impact and from uncontrolled twisting of the barrier around the longitudinal barrier axis;   (b) panels mounted to opposite sides of the structural framework for deflecting vehicles on impact with the barrier, wherein the principal function of the side panels is to deflect a vehicle on impact of the vehicle against the barrier, with the weight of the structural framework and the side panels being less than 200 kg per meter of length of the barrier; and   (c) ballast in a lower section of the barrier, with the ballast including a plurality of blocks of concrete positioned in spaces separating the upright members, with the weight of the ballast being up to 55% of the total weight of the barrier.