Traffic barriers under vehicular impact: From computer simulation to design guidelines

Ülker M. B. C. , Rahman M. S. , Zhen R., Mirmiran A.

COMPUTER-AIDED CIVIL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING, vol.23, no.6, pp.465-480, 2008 (Peer-Reviewed Journal) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 23 Issue: 6
  • Publication Date: 2008
  • Doi Number: 10.1111/j.1467-8667.2008.00552.x
  • Journal Name: COMPUTER-AIDED CIVIL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded, Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.465-480

Abstract

In this study, the problem of vehicular impact on a portable concrete barrier (PCB) is investigated. An available crash test is modeled and the impact response was simulated through a finite element (FE) model. On the basis of insight gained through this detailed FE analysis, a simpler rigid body model is then used to perform a comprehensive study of the barrier response under vehicular impact. The results from FE simulation and the rigid body model are found to be consistent with each other and in good agreement with the full-scale crash test. On the basis of results from a series of simpler analyses, a set of charts for assessing the barrier displacement and related variables are developed for the purpose of design.