Full-scale tests on bridge kerbs subjected to horizontal actions

The construction of new kerbs or the replacement of existing ones is usually due to the need of installing safety or anti-noise barriers. A suitable experimental survey has been studied and developed at the Laboratory of the University of Rome “Tor Vergata" aiming at verifying the vulnerability of the system kerb safety barrier in a bridge deck. The main scope is the analysis, through full-scale experimental tests, of the system performances under horizontal actions simulating the vehicle derailment. Particular care has been devoted in reproducing actual geometries and materials. Furthermore, the actual elements usually installed in Italian infrastructures (roadways and highways), are adopted, in order to highlight the true damage typologies and failure modes. Both the cases of application of barriers on existing and new cast kerbs are analyzed, and two kerbs geometries, generally found in Italian bridges are cast and tested. The obtained results provide useful information on the safety check to be developed on this kind of structures.