Crash test simulation of a modified thrie-beam high containment level guardrail under NCHRP Report 350 TL 4-12 conditions

摘要

This paper describes details of a computer simulation study performed on a modified thrie-beam high containment level guardrail designated as SGR09b. Because the SGR09b guardrail system is the only high containment guardrail system passing the NCHRP Report 350 TL4 requirements in its class, developing an accurate finite element model for this guardrail is deemed to be a significant contribution towards enhancement of computer-simulated virtual roadside safety research. For this reason, a detailed finite element model of the SGR09b guardrail system has been developed and subjected to 8000 kg single unit truck impact under NCHRP Report TL4 conditions. The fidelity of the simulation study was evaluated using the full-scale crash test results. As in the full-scale crash test, in the finite element simulation study, the guardrail system successfully contained and redirected the 8000 kg single unit truck. Based on the crash test results, it was determined that the finite element models for both the SGR09b guardrail system and the 8000 kg single unit truck are fairly accurate and can be used with confidence in further computer-simulated virtual roadside safety research.