Energy Dissipation Characteristics of Clustered Rubber Cylinders

摘要

The purpose of the present research was to develop a low-maintenance crash cusion utilizing reusable rubber elements. An extensive laboratory study was made to evaluate various rubber compounds and shapes in terms of energy-absorbing characteristics, durability, sensitivity to the environment, and cost. Of the materials examined, it was found that a natural rubber--20% EPDM blend--offered the greatest promise. A full-scale prototype crash cushion was then constructed consisting of a cluster of hollow circular cylinders formed from the above material. The prototype was subjected to a series of vehicular crash tests. Due to unexpected failures in the rubber cylinders, it was not possible to completely qualify the cushion in terms of recommended impact performance criteria. The failures were attributed to the mandrell wrapping process by which the cylinders were constructed. It was concluded that these problems could be solved by constructing the cylinders from a compression mold process.