Laboratory tests of how selective factors impact the durability and functionality of road safety steel devices

Abstract

Road safety devices, such as guides and wire rope barriers have a direct impact on road safety. These devices are mounted close to the road therefore they are exposed to mechanical damage and corrosive factors, which causes them to degrade subsequently leading to adverse changes of the useful properties. The objective of research was to determine the influence of exploitation factors (corrosion, mechanical damage) on the functionality changes of these selected steel road safety elements. Samples for testing mechanical properties were taken from guides and wire rope material in delivery condition and after exposure to a corrosive environment. In order to simulate mechanical damage, samples were cut or holes were made or they were gravelled. In the case of wires taken from ropes, tensile tests of wires subjected to pre-cycles of fatigue load corresponding to cycles of changes in rope stress in operating conditions were also performed.