DESIGN OF TRAFFIC BARRIERS IN BUILDINGS
For the design of traffic barriers within a building, the use of thin walled pipe elements as lateral support elements should be ruled out and instead design traffic barriers following the requirements of current regulations. The images below show some evaluated cases of loads on the barriers designed with structural elements that meet the minimum requirements.
The connections at the base and designed metal barriers support a lateral load of 2.73ton (according to ASCE 7-05 / REP 2014) applied at a minimum height of 46cm from the level of the slab. A frame with lightweight smaller diameter tubes does not have the capacity to withstand this design load, especially if the elements are expected to have a flexural failure. In resolution of the Technical Board of Engineering and Architecture No. 016 of the year 2018 (Panama), the necessary criteria for this type of elements is reaffirmed as established in the Panamanian Structural Regulations. It is important that all buildings have the current security system to minimize the risk of this type of vehicle accidents.
Contact us at invasa@live.com should you require structural design or an on site inspection to determine the capacity of the traffic containment system on your building.
The following links contain references to information used as part of a recent webinar presented at the Panamanian Society of Engineers and Architects (SPIA).
1. Recent article published in Engineering and Architecture Magazine.
2. Proposal of new design load for traffic barrier systems in buildings
3. Vehicle deformation in front end colision.
4. Summary of analysis results from FEM.
5. Preliminary design of masonry and reinforced concrete traffic barrier used in buildings.
6. Preliminary design of steel
