ARMCO BARRIER Meaning and
Definition
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An Armco barrier, also known as a guardrail or crash barrier, is a protective barrier made of steel used primarily for highway and road safety purposes. It is designed to prevent vehicles from leaving the roadway or to redirect them back onto the road in case of accidents or collisions.
The term "Armco" originated from the manufacturer, Armco Steel Corporation, which was one of the first companies to produce such barriers. Over time, it has become a generic term for this type of safety barrier.
Armco barriers consist of semi-rigid rails made of rolled steel sheets, usually corrugated for added strength and impact absorption. The rails are mounted on posts securely anchored into the ground, forming a continuous system that can run for long distances along roads and highways.
These barriers serve multiple purposes. They provide a physical separation between opposing traffic lanes, preventing head-on collisions. They also act as a shield, helping to reduce the severity of accidents and preventing vehicles from veering off the road into adjacent hazards, such as trees, steep slopes, or bodies of water.
Armco barriers are designed to absorb and dissipate the impact energy in case of a collision. The semi-rigid structure allows the rail to deform under the force of impact, thereby absorbing some of the energy and reducing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Due to its effectiveness in minimizing the consequences of accidents and improving road safety, the use of Armco barriers has become widespread around the world, making it an essential component of modern transportation infrastructure.
Etymology of ARMCO BARRIER
The term "Armco barrier" is derived from the name of a company that played a significant role in developing and popularizing this type of safety barrier. "Armco" is an abbreviation for the American Rolling Mill Company, which was founded in Middletown, Ohio, in 1899.
The American Rolling Mill Company specialized in the production of steel and various related products. In the 1930s, they developed a new type of corrugated steel sheeting that was strong, flexible, and easily formed into barriers. This design became widely used as a safety measure for roadways, racetracks, and other areas where vehicle collisions could occur.
Over time, the use of these steel barriers became associated with the company that invented them, and the term "Armco barrier" came to represent this specific type of safety barrier.
