COMPUTER SIMULATIONS OF ROADSIDE CRASH CUSHION IMPACTS

This paper presents the results of finite element computer simulations of vehicular impacts with a roadside crash cushion. DYNA3D is employed to model the energy dissipating response of the Narrow Connecticut Impact Attenuation System under high speed impacts with heavy and light vehicles. The finite element predictions are compared with the experimental results of full scale crash tests involving automobiles impacting the device at 97 km/h. It is demonstrated that computer simulations can accurately model the dynamic response of a crash event and provide valuable measures of occupant risk. It is recommended that these simulation tools be employed more extensively in the design of roadside safety features so that the number of expensive full scale crash tests required to develop future hardware can be minimized.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This was also published in ASCE Journal of Transportation Engineering, Sept/Oct 1997, Vol 123, No. 5, pp 370-376.
• Corporate Authors:

  Vanderbilt University

  Engineering Center for Transportation, Operations and Research
  Nashville, TN  United States  37235

  Federal Highway Administration

  Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center, 6300 Georgetown Pike
  McLean, VA  United States  22101
• Authors:
  • Miller Jr, P W
  • Carney III, J F
• Publication Date: 1996

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 34 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accuracy; Alternatives analysis; Crash cushions; Crash tests; Crashes; Dissipation; Dynamic loads; Finite element method; Forecasting; Heavy vehicles; High speed ground transportation; High speed vehicles; Impact; Light vehicles; Simulation; Speed; Testing
• Uncontrolled Terms: Dynamic response; Impact speed
• Old TRIS Terms: Test results
• Subject Areas: Design; Energy; Highways; Railroads; Research; Safety and Human Factors; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00737921
• Record Type: Publication
• Contract Numbers: DTFH61-94-X-00031
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jun 4 1997 12:00AM