Evaluation of Portable Concrete Barriers Using Finite Element Simulation

• Published in: Transportation research record 2000, Vol.1720 (1), p.1-6
• Main Authors: Marzougui, Dhafer, Bahouth, George, Eskandarian, Azim, Meczkowski, Leonard, Taylor, Harry
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Buildings. Public works; Computation methods. Tables. Charts; Exact sciences and technology; Ground, air and sea transportation, marine construction; Road operations (signalization, lighting, safety and accessories, snow clearance, acoustical panel, etc.); Road transportation and traffic; Structural analysis. Stresses; Transportation infrastructure
• ISSN: 0361-1981; 2169-4052
• DOI: 10.3141/1720-01

The use of finite element (FE) simulations in modeling and evaluating roadside hardware has increased significantly in the past few years. Thanks to the remarkable improvements in computer technology and finite element software, the crash behavior of automobiles and roadside hardware objects can be predicted. Finite element simulations were used to evaluate the safety of portable concrete barriers (PCB). The first step was to develop a methodology for creating accurate FE representations of PCBs. This objective was achieved by developing an FE model of an F-shape PCB design and using full-scale crash test data to validate the model. Once the fidelity and accuracy of the modeling methodology had been proved, FE models of two modified PCB designs were created and their safety performance was evaluated. Based on the simulation results, a third design was developed and its performance was analyzed. The safety performance of the three designs was compared.