Safety performance evaluation of secure mailboxes using finite element simulations and crash testing

Secure mailboxes, with locking systems, are becoming more commonly used in recent years. These mailboxes are typically heavier and larger in size than standard mailboxes. These new mailboxes have not been tested and their safety performance when impacted with a vehicle has not been evaluated. In this study, Finite Element (FE) computer simulations coupled with experimental testing is used to investigate the safety of these mailboxes and establish some guidelines on their use and installation. The study is subdivided into three main parts. In the first part a detailed FE model of the mailbox is developed and validated against pendulum crash tests. The second part consisted of conducting parametric finite element analysis, with varied mailbox sizes, heights, mounting configurations, and post sizes, to evaluate the mailbox performance. The varied parameters were selected such that a majority of secure mailboxes are covered in the analysis. The third part of the study consisted of validating the simulations results. A critical case was chosen from the simulations and a full scale crash test with identical parameters was performed. (A)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/13588265
• Authors:
  • BEDEWI, N
  • ESKANDARIAN, A
  • MECZKOWSKI, L
  • TAHAN, F
  • MARZOUGUI, D
  • ZAOUK, A
• Publication Date: 2005

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 341-9
• Serial:
  • International Journal of Crashworthiness
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: Taylor & Francis
  • ISSN: 1358-8265
  • Serial URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tcrs20

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash tests; Finite element method; Mailboxes; Safety; Simulation; Size; Support poles
• Uncontrolled Terms: Street furniture
• ITRD Terms: 9014: Dimension; 6490: Finite element method; 1648: Impact test (crash); 3312: Pole; 1665: Safety; 9103: Simulation; 381: Street furniture
• Subject Areas: Highways; Research; Safety and Human Factors; I95: Vehicle Inspection;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01013163
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Dec 22 2005 8:31AM