Dynamic Tests Of An Energy Absorbing Barrier Employing Sand-Filled Frangible Plastic Barrels.

摘要

The results of three full scale vehicle impact tests into energy absorbing barriers employing sand-filled frangible plastic barrels are reported. The barriers were designed for placement in front of fixed objects located in freeway gores. They were composed of an array of 15 to 17 cylinders 36 inches in diameter by 30 and 36 inches high. The barriers were 21 feet and 25 feet long and tapered from a 3 foot width at the nose to a 9 ft width at the rear. the barrels were not attached to the ground. Sedans weighing approximately 4700 lbs. and traveling approximately 60 mph impacted the nose of the barrier head-on and at a 15 degree angle. A small sedan weighing about 1900 lbs. also impacted the nose of the barrier head-on at 59 mph. the vehicular passenger compartment decelerations were considered tolerable for lap-belted passengers and would have resulted in no more than moderate injuries in most cases. However, the computed Gadd Severity Index for the lap-belted dummy driver in the light sedan indicated "fatal" head injuries were incurred. The vehicles remained relatively stable during all three impacts. the 4700 lb. vehicles penetrated the barrier with low exit velocities after sustaining moderate damage. Most of the barrels in each barrier were demolished during each test. The debris scatter in the lateral direction during the head-on impact was minimal except for the lids. The angle impact into the barrier nose caused considerable amounts of sand and broken barrels to be thrown into the "traveled way".