Numerical Investigation of the Performance of a Roadside Safety Barrier Located Behind the Break Point of a Slope

Author(s):  
M. Mongiardini ◽  
J. D. Reid

Numerical simulations allow engineers in roadside safety to investigate the safety of retrofit designs minimizing or, in some cases, avoiding the high costs related to the execution of full-scale experimental tests. This paper describes the numerical investigation made to assess the performance of a roadside safety barrier when relocated behind the break point of a 3H:1V slope, found on a Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) system. A safe barrier relocation in the slope would allow reducing the installation width of the MSE system by an equivalent amount, thus decreasing the overall construction costs. The dynamics of a pick-up truck impacting the relocated barrier and the system deformation were simulated in detail using the explicit non-linear dynamic finite element code LS-DYNA. The model was initially calibrated and subsequently validated against results from a previous full-scale crash test with the barrier placed at the slope break point. After a sensitivity analysis regarding the role of suspension failure and tire deflation on the vehicle stability, the system performance was assessed when it was relocated into the slope. Two different configurations were considered, differing for the height of the rail respect to the road surface and the corresponding post embedment into the soil. Conclusions and recommendations were drawn based on the results obtained from the numerical analysis.

Author(s):  
Malcolm H. Ray

Developing safe and effective guardrail terminals has been a high priority of roadside safety researchers for several decades. Numerous full-scale crash tests have been performed, and many types of new terminals have been developed. In recent years, the FHWA has formalized the evaluation and certification process for roadside safety hardware, meaning that all guardrail terminals used on the National Highway System must satisfy the full-scale crash test and evaluation requirements of NCHRP Report 350. Although the newer guardrail terminals undoubtedly have better full-scale crash test performance, the relevancy to reducing serious and fatal injuries in real-world guardrail terminal collisions is not quite as clear. The in-service performance of guardrail terminals was evaluated to determine if upgrading the terminals to NCHRP Report 350 standards would reduce serious and fatal injury accidents.


2014 ◽  
Vol 102 (41) ◽  
pp. 301-308
Author(s):  
Jiri Drozda ◽  
Jan Marek ◽  
Tomas Rotter

SIMULATION ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 78 (10) ◽  
pp. 587-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali O. Atahan

Computer simulation of vehicle collisions has improved significantly over the past decade. With advances in computer technology, nonlinear finite element codes, and material models, full-scale simulation of such complex dynamic interactions is becoming ever more possible. In this study, an explicit three-dimensional nonlinear finite element code, LS-DYNA, is used to demonstrate the capabilities of computer simulations to supplement full-scale crash testing. After a failed crash test on a strong-post guardrail system, LS-DYNA is used to simulate the system, determine the potential problems with the design, and develop an improved system that has the potential to satisfy current crash test requirements. After accurately simulating the response behavior of the full-scale crash test, a second simulation study is performed on the system with improved details. Simulation results indicate that the system performs much better compared to the original design.


2015 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
pp. 98-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Biganzoli ◽  
Gaia Racanella ◽  
Lucia Rigamonti ◽  
Roberto Marras ◽  
Mario Grosso

Author(s):  
Athanasios Vratsikidis ◽  
Dimitris Pitilakis ◽  
Anastasios Anastasiadis ◽  
Anastasios Kapouniaris

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 503-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. A. Alleyne ◽  
S. Xanthos ◽  
K. Ramalingam ◽  
K. Temel ◽  
H. Li ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
John D. Reid ◽  
Ronald K. Faller ◽  
Jim C. Holloway ◽  
John R. Rohde ◽  
Dean L. Sicking

For many years, containment for errant racing vehicles traveling on oval speedways has been provided through rigid, concrete containment walls placed around the exterior of the track. However, accident experience has shown that serious injuries and fatalities may occur through vehicular impacts into these nondeformable barriers. Because of these injuries, the Indy Racing League and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, later joined by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR), sponsored the development of a new barrier system by the Midwest Roadside Safety Facility at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln to improve the safety of drivers participating in automobile racing events. Several barrier prototypes were investigated and evaluated using both static and dynamic component testing, computer simulation modeling with LS-DYNA (a nonlinear finite element analysis code), and 20 full-scale vehicle crash tests. The full-scale crash testing program included bogie vehicles, small cars, and a full-size sedan, as well as Indy Racing League open-wheeled cars and NASCAR Winston Cup cars. A combination steel tube skin and foam energy-absorbing barrier system, referred to as the SAFER (steel and foam energy reduction) barrier, was successfully developed. Subsequently, the SAFER barrier was installed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in advance of the running of the 2002 Indianapolis 500 race. From the results of the laboratory testing program as well as analysis of the accidents into the SAFER barrier occurring during practice, qualification, and the race, the SAFER barrier has been shown to provide improved safety for drivers impacting the outer walls.


Author(s):  
Liviu Crudu ◽  
Radu Bosoancă ◽  
Dan Obreja

The evaluation of ship resistance is of paramount importance having a decisive impact on the economic performances and efficiency depending on mission. If new IMO requirements through the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) are taken into account the necessity to have more and more accurate tools capable to consider the influences of different parameters became mandatory. The availability of towing tank facilities and the full scale trials are the practical means in order to be able to confirm the accuracy of theoretical formulations and to define the limits of CFD applications. Based on the results of the towing tank tests, a direct comparison with the results provided by classical methods and CFD computations can be systematically can be performed. On the other hand, the influences of the modifications operated on the fore part of the ship aretheoretically evaluated and compared with the towing tank results. Consequently, the paper is focused on the comparison of the results evaluated using different tools which have been carried out for a Chemical Tanker built by Constanta Shipyard Romania.


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