Optimum Design of Pin and Loop Portable Concrete Barrier Connectors

Portable concrete barriers provide positive protection for highway work zones. Since the connection is often structurally the weakest part of the barrier system, connector design is a critical variable in barrier performance. A survey was conducted to determine which connectors are used by the states. The pin and loop connector is the most widely used, and for this reason, was singled out for analysis. This paper contains a static analysis of a pin and loop connector. The analysis, along with past crash test experience, is used to determine optimum pin and loop connector design. A table is included that lists the strengths of pin and loop connectors used by the states.