[ 0001] This Application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 12/709,584, entitled "Barrier System", filed on February 22, 2010, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[ 0002 ] The invention relates to a barrier system. More particularly, the invention relates to a vehicle and pedestrian barrier system which can be positioned in vehicle and pedestrian passageways adjacent a protected structure or area to preclude the vehicle or the pedestrian from reaching and engaging the protected structure or area.

[ 0003 ] For some time, terrorists and insurgents have used various types of vehicles to transport explosives, and other destructive substances, into a position adjacent, or literally into, a normally-secured or unsecured structure, whereby the explosives are detonated in some fashion to destroy or damage the structures, and injure or kill occupants therein.

Recently, pedestrians, such as the so-called "suicide bombers," have literally strapped explosives to their body, walked into a target area, and detonated the body-carried explosives, thereby killing themselves as well as destroying or damaging structures, and injuring or killing people, in the target area.

[ 0004 ] In recent years, barriers have been strategically placed to prevent such explosive-laden vehicles and pedestrians from being placed sufficiently close to, or driven directly into, such structures for the purpose of explosive destruction of the structure, and potential injury or death of the occupants.

[ 0005] While worth-while vehicle barrier systems have been devised in recent years, some of these systems are not readily portable, use elaborate and complex barrier structure, and/or require major alteration in the ground-surface topography to facilitate support thereof.

[ 0006 ] One such system involving elaborate and complex barrier structure is disclosed in U.S. Patent No, 4,780,020, which includes a single high-strength cable extending between spaced I-beams, with the cable woven in an elaborate pattern through openings in the I-beams and around pipes adjacent webs of the I-beams. A crushable aluminum honeycomb structure can be used with the woven cable, pipes and I-beams to serve as a shock-absorbing element if the barrier system is struck by a vehicle. Also, panels can be placed between the spaced I-beams for aesthetic purposes, and to conceal the complex cabling structure.

[ 0007 ] In a security gate structure disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,576,507, multiple high-strength cables are attached to, and extend between, a pair of I-beams to form a barrier system. In a non-operated position, the barrier system is mounted below ground level for movement within spaced tracks in an underground structure, and the system is thereby not normally visible. When a vehicle approaches the gate location, a vehicle sensor is activated to raise the barrier system, and position the cables in the path of the oncoming vehicle.

Opposite ends of each cable are looped about shock absorbers to sustain the shock of the vehicle moving into contact with the cables.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[ 0008 ] In one embodiment of a barrier system, the barrier system includes at least first and second reinforced concrete posts, each concrete post including at least one conduit formed therethrough having first and second ends and a strain relief sector formed therein at the first end of the conduit. At least one tension cable extends between the posts. The tension cable extends through the conduit of each post and has a cable end secured to the post at the second end of each post's conduit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[ 0009 ] FIGS. 1 to 1 IB illustrate embodiments of a barrier system and a method of making same.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[ 0010 ] This description of preferred embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of the invention. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. In the description, relative terms such as

"horizontal," "vertical," "up," "down," "top" and "bottom" as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., "horizontally," "downwardly," "upwardly," etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under discussion. References to axial dimensions and directions (e.g., in an "X" direction, over a "Y" dimension, etc.) should also be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and normally are not intended to require a particular orientation. Terms including "inwardly" versus "outwardly," "longitudinal" versus "lateral" and the like are to be interpreted relative to one another or relative to an axis of elongation, or an axis or center of rotation, as appropriate. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as "joined,"

"connected," and "interconnected," refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.

[0011] Historically, terrorists, and others with destructive intentions, have employed rapidly moving objects, such as vehicles, to transport explosives for direct impact with, or into a location adjacent, critically important structures. Such structures usually include civilian government, military, and non-government buildings. The explosives are detonated to damage or destroy the structures and to injure or kill anyone in or adjacent such structures.

[0012] In similar fashion, destructive-intending pedestrians, commonly referred to as "suicide bombers," having explosives attached to their bodies, have entered such important structures as well as gatherings of other people, and thereafter detonated the explosives to destroy and damage the buildings and kill or injure the other people.

[0013] In order to preclude the entry of such explosive-containing vehicles and pedestrians into critical areas, barrier systems have been designed, which are intended to preclude entry of any unauthorized vehicles and pedestrians into such structures. Some of the barrier systems have been formed by bollards, water-filled obstructions, jersey walls, berms, chain link fences and tensioned cable beams. Products of this type can be standard or generic designs for use at any location, or they can be custom designed for the particular environment of the structures and gatherings of people in the area to be protected. In any event, the barrier systems should be designed with force-reactive parameters necessary to insure barring the entry of the explosive-laden vehicles into the protected areas, and security systems necessary to bar entry of unauthorized personnel into the protected areas. [ 0014 ] In areas of critical importance, where vehicle traffic flow is frequent, barrier systems may be located underground, for aesthetic purposes. Such underground barrier systems are readily movable, automatically or by human control, to an above-ground position to present an obstacle to entry of an explosive-laden and/or unidentified vehicle into the areas of critical importance.

[ 0015 ] In the past, architects have designed custom made barrier systems where high levels of protection are warranted. In addition, architects have designed barrier systems which are unobtrusive and pleasing in appearance.

[ 0016 ] In view of a significant increase in destructive actions by terrorists in recent years, the United States Department of State has issued several levels of requirements for barrier systems, with each level being dependent on the anticipated size of the vehicle (e.g., 15,000 pounds) and the speed of such vehicle (e.g., 30, 40 or 50 miles per hour). In the most stringent level, the barrier system must limit the travel or penetration of the vehicle to three meters after impacting the barrier system.

[ 0017 ] In order to meet such stringent and high level standards for barrier systems, careful design is necessary. At the same time, it is desirable that such barrier systems present a pleasant appearance, particularly in areas where government office buildings and living quarters, as well as similarly situated non-government buildings and residences, are located.

[ 0018 ] Some of the attributes for such barrier systems and components thereof include (a) providing for relatively easy assembly of the components, (b) permitting repair or replacement of components without disassembly of the entire barrier system, (c) providing a means for self diagnostics to determine if disablement of the barrier system has occurred, (d) providing for the electrical wiring of the barrier system to power lights, motion sensors, proximity and impact detectors, and other intelligence functions, (e) providing facility for preventing entry, as well as allowing selective entry, of vehicles and pedestrians, and (f) providing aesthetic enhancements.

[ 0019 ] The inventive concepts disclosed herein provide a pre-engineered barrier system having optionally-selectable components which an architect, builder or security personnel can assemble without the need to design and build a barrier system on a custom basis, while meeting the above-noted requirements and standards, and attaining the above- noted security attributes.

[ 0020 ] FIGS. 1 to 1 IB illustrate embodiments of a barrier system as well as a method of making the barrier system. The barrier system 2000 includes a plurality of reinforced concrete posts 2200 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 1) and barrier walls 2100, such as barrier walls 2100a and 2100b. It should be understood that barrier walls 2100 extend between two posts 2200. The walls 2100 can include above-ground and below-ground portions. The below-ground portion of the barrier walls 2100 can include, for example, a compacted stone dust foundation or concrete footer 2110, which can be formed using a form in much the same way a house foundation is formed. The foundation or footer 2110 may not be needed in regions that do not encounter frost. The above-ground portion 2120 of the barrier walls 2100 is preferably a continuous, monolithically poured concrete structure. The size of the walls will depend on the nature of the site at which the barrier system is installed, but in certain embodiments a barrier wall 2100 has a length between about 40 to 100 feet, and preferably around 80 feet in length.

[ 0021 ] The walls 2100 include channels or passages through which tension cables extend. One or more passages for electrical or optical wiring can also be included in the walls 2100.

[ 0022 ] The reinforced concrete post 2200 is illustrated in greater detail in FIGS . 2-5. The concrete post 2200 includes a subterranean anchor post portion 2210 and an above- ground upper portion 2250. A base ring 2220 is disposed roughly between the anchor post portion 2210 and upper portion 2250. The base ring 2220 can be a precast structure or poured in situ. As can be seen from the drawings, the concrete is reinforced by way of a rebar structure, including vertical rebars 2216, which are aligned using rebar rings 2214 and rebar alignment form 2212. In an exemplary embodiment of the post 2200, the anchor post portion 2210 and upper portion 2250 (notwithstanding the recess portions 2252 discussed in more detail below) have a common diameter between about 1 to 6 feet, and preferably about 4 feet. The subterranean anchor post portion 2210 has a length or height (extending into the ground) between about 4 to 12 feet and preferably about 10 feet. The upper portion 2250 has a height of about four feet extending above base ring 2220. Of course, the necessary dimensions will depend on the level of security desired, i.e., to what ASTM standard for impact speed (e.g., M30, M40, etc.) and penetration (PI, P2, etc.) for a given vehicle type must be met.

[ 0023 ] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the upper portion 2250 has one or more conduits 2260 is defined in the concrete through it and extending generally between opposite sides of the reinforced concrete post 2200. With respect to the reinforce concrete post 2200, the term "conduit" is used in its broad sense to mean passageway, pass-through, channel or void and does not imply a particular shape or material. The conduits may be of any shape that can accommodate the tension cables, more specifically the larger diameter cable terminations for the high-strength wire rope or tension cables (discussed below) and in the illustrated embodiment are cylindrical. Each conduit has a first open end 2262 and a second open end 2264. In the illustrated embodiment, the reinforced concrete post 2200 has four conduits 2260 including a first pair of conduits that are aligned with one another and a second pair of the conduits are aligned with one another. The pairs of conduits crisscross one another both with respect to the vertical and horizontal planes. More specifically, a pair of spaced cables 2300a, 2300b passes through a wall 2100a along a straight axis and at first and second respective constant vertical heights within the wall 2100a. It is desirable to have the second pair of spaced cables 2300d and 2300c pass through wall 2100b along a common axis and at the same first and second respective constant vertical heights as the cables 2300a, 2300b. It is also desirable to keep the size of the reinforced concrete post 2200 as small a possible. The design must also consider that the conduits 2260 must be sized larger than the diameter of the cables 2300 to accommodate the insertion of cable terminations into, through and within the conduits, as discussed in more detail below. For example, a 1.5" diameter cable 2300 may be terminated with a 2 foot long, 3" diameter swage stud. To accommodate these

considerations, within the post 2200 the conduits 2260 slope downward from their ends 2262 to their ends 2264 and are angled with respect to the axis of the cables 2300 within walls 2100 so that the conduits miss one another within the post 2200 while the cables 2300 are positioned at the correct vertical locations for entry into walls 2100. FIGS. 11A and 1 IB show the top portion 2250 of the post 2200 in greatly simplified form in order to help illustrate the orientations of the conduits 2260. The conduits 2260 themselves are not illustrated but it should be understood that the portions of the cables 2300a to 2300d that are located within the upper portion 2250 of the post 2200 are coaxial with the conduits. As can be seen from the side view of FIG. 11A and the top view of FIG. 1 IB, the cables 2300a and 2300d are coaxial with one another. Cables 2300a and 2300c are also coaxial with one another but are hidden in the view of FIG. 11A. It is important that these cables be coaxial as their proper locations within the walls 2100 are carefully engineered to meet the proper security rating. So that the cables 2300a and 2300b, and cables 2300b and 2300C, can have this coaxial relationship, the conduits in which the cables run slope at a common oblique angle a (in the Z-direction/in the vertical plane) with respect to the coaxial axis of the cables within the walls 2100a, 2100b and at a common oblique angle Θ (in the X-direction/in the horizontal plane) with respect to the coaxial axis. In one exemplary embodiment, the total angle between the cable portion within the wall (i.e., the axes of the major portion/length of the cable) and the axis of the oblique conduits within the anchor post is 12.6°, which is provides an apparent angle a of 7.6° (seen in a side view) and an angle Θ of 12.6° (seen in a top view). Of course, other angular relationships as the size requirements dictate may be appropriate.

[ 0024 ] It should be apparent that it is not necessary to provide the sloped and angled orientation for the conduits formed in a terminus reinforced concrete end post which has only one adjacent wall because such an end post would have only a single set of parallel conduits. That is, the conduits can be coaxial with the tension wire 2300 within the adjacent wall.

[ 0025 ] As shown in FIG. 4, tension cables 2300, specifically cables 2300a to 2300d, extend through the conduits 2260 and terminate at conduit ends 2262 thereof. A steel washer plate 2270 is positioned in recessed area 2252 against a planar side wall of the reinforced concrete post 2200. The ends of the tension cables 2300a and 2300b are bolted in place using cable nuts 2280, which rest against the washer plate 2270. Washer plate 2270 distribute the force from an impact with the tension cables 2300 to prevent cracking of the concrete post 2200. Though not shown, tension cables 2300c and 2300d are anchored to the opposite side of the reinforced concrete post 2200 in the same manner as tension cables 2300a and 2300b. Alternatively, the cable nut can be provided with a large enough washer surface so that a separate washer plate 2270 is not required. Cable bushings 2290 are used during

fabrication/assembly to keep the cables 2300 on-center in their respective conduits 2260 until they are properly bolted in place.

[ 0026 ] FIGS. 1 -5 illustrate an embodiment of a reinforced concrete post 2200 that is designed to be disposed between two other reinforced concrete posts. That is, cables 2300a and 2300b extend between the concrete post 2200 shown in FIG. 4 and a second concrete post 2200 of similar construction, and cables 2300c and 2300d extend between the concrete post 2200 and a third concrete post 2200 of similar construction. It should be understood, therefore, that the concrete post 2200 may be considered an intermediate post in a barrier system as opposed to an end post. Assuming two cables 2300 extend between each post in the barrier system, an end post of similar construction would require only two conduits 2260 to accommodate the two cables 2300 that terminate at the end post though it may have other conduits that are not used or are used for other purposes.

[ 0027 ] Each tension cable 2300 exits the second open end 2264 of a respective conduit 2260. As can be seen from the figures, a strain relief sector 2266 extends from the second open end 2264 of each conduit. In exemplary embodiments, the strain relief sector takes the form of a curved recess or groove extending generally laterally or horizontally from the conduit 2260. The curved recess or groove forms a flared or tapered opening into the conduit 2260. The shape of one embodiment of the strain relief sector 2266 can be seen in more detail in FIG. 9 and from the shape of the insert shown in FIGS. 8 A to 9B used to form the strain relief sector 2266. It should be understood, however, that broadly speaking the strain relief sector 2266 is a space that is provided in the concrete profile that allows sufficient room for the tension cable 2300 to be deflected within the reinforced concrete post without a sharp bend therein, thereby minimizing bend stress and possible failure. While FIG. 4 shows cables 106 extending from the post 2200, it should be understood that the wall panels 2100 through which the cables 2300 extend are not shown so as to allow for better illustration of the connections of the cables 2300 to the post 2200.

[ 0028 ] Assuming an impact of sufficient force from a vehicle on a wall panel 2100 in the illustrated direction of impact, the tension cables 2300 would deflect in the direction of the impact. The strain relief sectors 2266 are shaped to allow the tension cables to extend in the direction of the impact without encountering any sharp edges in the reinforced concrete post 2200. It has been observed that if the strain relief sector 2266 is not provided, i.e., there is no side opening in the conduit in the direction of the impact, then the tension cable 2300 can fail due to a stress concentration at the conduit end 2264 from bending around a sharp corner.

[ 0029 ] FIG. 5 illustrates a concrete post 2220 in cross-section taken through a strain relief sector 2266. The rebar reinforcement is not shown in the cross-section. At the end 2264 of the conduit 2260, a strain relief sector 2266 is formed in the concrete. In the illustrated embodiment, the strain relief sector 2266 forms a tapered opening into the conduit 2260. The wall 2267 that defines the taper is preferably curved at least in the area where it meets the straight wall 2269 of the conduit 2260 such that the opening has a non-linear taper to it. It is preferably to avoid any sharp edges in the conduit opening that may cause the tension cable 2300 to fail. When the barrier system is in a quiescent state (labeled as position A), the tension cable 2300 extends at the angled orientation discussed above in connection with FIG. 1 IB towards a second post 2200 to which its opposite end is anchored. However, when the tension cable is deflected in the direction of the illustrated arrows, such as by impact of a vehicle with the barrier wall (not shown), the tension cable 2300 is free to move in that direction to some limited amount within the strain relief sector 2266. Since the retention cable 2300 is already at an angled orientation (position A), at a somewhat pre- stressed orientation, deflection of the retention cable 2300 in the direction of impact actually serves to straighten the retention cable 2300 (position B) and relieve stress. There are no stress concentration points at intermediate position B in this straight orientation. If the impact is sufficient to deflect the retention cable 2300 all the way into the strain relief sector 2266 (e.g., to position C), then the presence of the strain relief sector 2266 helps prevent failure of the tension cable 2300 as discussed above. If the tension cable 2300 is displaced enough so that it encounters the wall 2267 of the strain relief sector 2266, the gentle transition provided by the curved edge helps prevent catastrophic failure of the tension cable, as would occur with a conduit shaped as shown in FIG. 5A. Specifically, the tension cable could fail at the Failure Point shown in FIG. 5A.

[ 0030 ] The figures illustrate other features of the post 2200. As discussed above, the post 2200 may include a concrete base ring 2220, which forms a circumferential channel 2234 around the upper portion 2250 of the reinforced concrete post 2200, though this base ring 2220 is by no means a requirement. A decorative side cover 2230 is disposed around the upper end portion 2250, preferably in two halves (one of which is shown in FIG. 4). The side cover 2230 can be a precast concrete structure. The side cover 2230 includes an overlap 2232 that sits in the channel 2234 to properly seat the side cover 2230 in the channel 2234. In this embodiment, a top cover 2200 is then seated on the side cover 2230. FIG. 6 is a top view of the side cover 2230. Specifically, FIG. 6 shows that the side cover 2230 is formed from two halves 2230a and 2230b. These halves 2230a, 2230b are seated in the channel 2234 and form a pair of openings or slots 2231. The ends of the wall panels 2120a, 2120b are disposed in the slots 2231 to close the slot 2231. The top cover 2200 is then placed on top of the side cover 2230, thus concealing the internal connections of the tension cable to the post 2200 and limiting tampering therewith. Of course, other designs and shapes for the side cover 2230 could be used. For example, the side cover need not be provided in multiple pieces. Rather, the side cover could be a single piece with slits precut for the size one or more walls.

[ 0031 ] It should be understood that this cover is merely decorative and is not required. The barrier system functions adequately whether covered or not. In another embodiment, no cover is provided and the recessed region 2252 in the upper portion 2250 is over- filled with concrete or other material to shape the upper portion 2250 into a desired form (e.g., a continuous 48" diameter cylinder) and to conceal the cable connections.

[ 0032 ] The end of the tension cable 2300 is terminated by a cable termination.

There are several types of cable terminations and a cable termination that operate at 100% cable strength efficiency is preferred. One example of an efficient cable terminations is the wire rope socket (poured spelter, resin or swaged, for example). More preferably, a swaged stud termination is used to terminate the tension cable 2300, such as shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 shows cable 2300 terminating at a swaged stud termination 2400, such as a swaged steel threaded swage stud No. STS-48 available from Muncy Machine and Tool Company, Inc. of Muncy, PA, which has a threaded stud end for receiving the cable nut 2280. In exemplary embodiments, the cable 2300 has a diameter of about 1.5 inches and the swaged stud connector 2400 has a diameter of only about 3 inches. The connector 2400 is about 2 feet in length. This rather long, narrow connector is inserted into the conduits 2260, with the threaded end extending outside of the conduit end 2262. The profile of this preferred connector is small enough to allow for the crisscross pattern of the four conduits 2260 shown in FIG. 2.

[ 0033 ] It should be understood that for barriers of lesser or greater impact requirements, the cable, conduit, terminations, ends post and strain plates may be smaller or larger.

[ 0034 ] FIG. 8 and 110 A illustrate structures for forming the conduits 2260 and strain relief sectors 2266 in the reinforced concrete post 2200. FIG. 8 is a top view of those structures and FIG. 8A is a side perspective view thereof. As discussed above, the concrete post 2200 includes rebar skeleton, including vertical rebar 2216 and rebar rings 2214. Four tubes 2600 are positioned to form the conduits 2260. Strain relief inserts 2500 are attached to the outside of the tubes 2600 to form the strain relief sector 2266 at the end of the tubes 2600. The tubes 2600 and strain relief inserts can be made of any material of sufficient strength to hold the desired shape during the concrete pour. The inserts can be left in the structure as long as they are relatively week in crush resistance when compared to the concrete. The crushable inserts are simply crushed by deflection of the tension cables 2300 during a vehicle impact and thus do not interfere with the operation of the strain relief sector 2266. Crushable inserts of foam, metal, plastic (e.g., PVC tubes), wood, fiber or other material are

contemplated though other materials could be used. The inserts may also be removed if desired.

[ 0035 ] It should be appreciated that instead of providing inserts for forming conduits 2660, a solid concrete post could be formed followed by machining or drilling out conduits of the desired shape and orientation. The same procedure could also be used for formation of strain relief sectors 2266 and even recessed sections 2252.

[ 0036 ] FIGS. 9A to 9C illustrate in more detail the strain relief insert 2500. FIG. 9A is a side view of the insert 2500. FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the insert 2500 and FIG. 9C is a end view. Sloped surface 2502 defines the contour of the strain relief sector 2266, specifically the wall 2267 thereof (See FIG. 5). Surface 2506 is shaped to be seated on the tube 2600. Surface 2504 is aligned with the end of the tube 2600. The shape of the insert 2500 defines the shape of the strain relief sector 2266. The shape of the insert is preferably a radius larger than one cable diameter, and preferably on the order of about 4 to 5 cable diameters, but may be another geometric shape that provides a concrete gap that permits the cable space to bend to greater than one cable diameter, and preferably about 4 to 5 cable diameters without encountering a stress concentration point in the concrete. The strain relief sector 2266 could be square, triangular, rectangular or any other shape that serves this purpose.

[ 0037 ] FIGS. 10A-10D illustrate a recess form assembly 3000 for forming the recess 2252 in the upper portion of the reinforced concrete post 2200 and for facilitating accurate placement of the conduits 2260, specifically the conduit forming tubes 2600. In order to form the reinforced concrete post 2200, a cylindrical tube form 3500 is used, such as a SONOTUBE® concrete form available from Sonoco of Hartsville, SC. Two recess form assemblies 3000 are placed in each tube form 3500, one for each recess section 2252 formed on opposite sides of the concrete post 2200. The recess form assembly 3000 is properly spaced from the tube form 3500 by sector chords 3100. The recess form assembly includes a pair of conduit spuds 3200 around which the first ends of a pair of conduit tubes 2600 are fitted. The recess form assembly also includes a pair of angled conduit spuds 3300 for receiving the second end of a pair of conduit tubes 2600. That is, the recess form assemblies 3000 are aligned across from one another, and four conduit tubes 2600 are secured therebetween by connection to the conduit spuds 3200, 3300. As can be seen in FIG. 10A, the conduit spud 3300 is also surrounded by a ring element 3310 with a slot 3315. Those familiar with using concrete forms will understand that the various forms and insert elements can be secured to one another using screws, glue, wire, fitted connections or a combination thereof. After assembly and placement of all forms and inserts around the rebar skeleton, concrete of a sufficient rating, e.g., about 3000-8000 psi and preferably 5000 psi or greater, is poured and allowed to set, thus forming a continuous approximately four foot diameter reinforced concrete post extending roughly four feet above ground and roughly ten feet below ground. The forms are then removed along with, optionally, the inserts, leaving an in-situ formed post 2200 for a barrier system at a desired location.

[ 0038 ] It should be understood that post 2200 may be of any geometric shape including diametral, rectangular, polygonal or any combination of geometric shapes

[ 0039 ] A method of forming the barrier system 2000 is now described. First. The reinforced concrete posts 2200 are formed as described above. Second, forms are placed between the so-formed concrete posts 2200 for formation of the barrier walls 2120. These forms can include those for forming passages in the barrier walls for the tension wires 2300 and any electrical or optical wiring though it should be understood that the concrete can be poured directly over the tension wires 2300 without forms for forming a channel around the tension wires spaced from the tension wires 2300. Third, the tension wires 2300 are suspended and anchored as shown in the figures between adjacent posts 2200. Fourth, the concrete is poured for forming the barrier walls 2120. Fifth, the forms are broken down and removed. Sixth and finally, an optional cultured stone facade may be applied to the barrier walls 2120 for aesthetic reasons.

[ 0040 ] It is important that the wall panels not be anchored into the ground in any significant way, such as by the use of a subterranean anchor post 2210 that is used for the reinforced concrete post 2200, though structural elements may be provided to, for example, help provide vertical stability to the wall from the frost. Such elements are not needed in climates where frost is not a concern. The wall is truly a facade and it is important that the force of a vehicle impact be transferred to the tension cables 2300 roughly evenly when the force of the impact exceeds the strength of the concrete wall 2100. The tension cables 2300 have some elasticity. It has been discovered that in certain instances, if the bottom portion of the wall 2100 is anchored or made strong in any significant sense, the bottommost tension cable 2300 may embed in the vehicle while the topmost tension cable 2300, which is further from the anchor point, is free to extend in the direction of the impact. This uneven displacement of the tension cables can lead to a vehicle being ramped over the barrier system rather than being stopped by the barrier system on the side of the impact. As such, it is desirable that the wall 2100 essentially fail, disintegrate or otherwise break apart to some extent under sufficient impact to expose the internal tension cables 2300 to the vehicle chassis so that the cables can engage the vehicle chassis to perform their function. The wall 2100 should, for example, not be reinforced with rebar.

[ 0041 ] The barrier system described in connection with FIGS . 1 to 11 B was tested in a crash test using a 15,000 gross vehicle weight crash vehicle loaded with barrels of sand. Mechanical steering was employed. In a first test, the vehicle was crashed mid span into the wall between two reinforced posts. The wall disintegrated, allowing the two 1.5" cables to tear out of the concrete wall over the entire length of barrier. The two cables migrated over the truck engine and locked into chassis to successfully stop the truck. The post crash condition of the cables was excellent, with no damage found to the cables at impact site or at the reinforced end posts.

[ 0042 ] In a second test, the vehicle was crashed directly into the end post. In this test, the engine and transmission displaced entirely under the truck cab and the truck was stopped. The anchor post was displaced slightly (around 6") but maintained its integrity.

[ 0043 ] It is to be understood that the present invention is by no means limited only to the particular constructions herein disclosed and shown in the drawings. The appended claims should be construed broadly to cover any variations or modifications within the scope or range of equivalents of the claims.