DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF APPROACH TERMINAL SECTIONS USING SIMULATION

The authors analyzed turned-down guardrail terminal sections using LS-DYNA3D, a dynamic, nonlinear, large deformation finite-element modeling package capable of simulating vehicular impacts into roadside hazards. A baseline simulation was performed on the existing turned-down approach terminal section and on various retrofit options. The simulation results were used to identify potential design changes and to choose the two most promising options. Altered designs were subjected to six low-speed and one high-speed full-scale crash tests with a minisize vehicle. The crash testing confirmed that one of the retrofit designs would permit the W-beam rail to drop down without causing vehicle rollover when impacted end on by a minisize vehicle. However, the revised design failed to meet recommended safety standards when one of the weakened posts failed to break away as designed. By revising the post installation procedures, the authors believe that the modified turned-down terminal section would perform satisfactorily.

Language

  • English

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Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00726132
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS, ATRI
  • Created Date: Sep 28 1996 12:00AM