PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF W-BEAM GUARDRAILS ON SLOPED MEDIANS USING NONLINEAR FINITE ELEMENT SIMULATIONS

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Baker, R. (2014). PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF W-BEAM GUARDRAILS ON SLOPED MEDIANS USING NONLINEAR FINITE ELEMENT SIMULATIONS. Unc Charlotte Electronic Theses And Dissertations.
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Abstract

This thesis presents the research using finite element (FE) modeling and simulations to evaluate the performance of single-faced and double-faced W-beam guardrails for different heights under MASH Test Level 3 (TL-3) impact conditions. The modeling and simulation work was conducted on single-faced and double-faced W-beam guardrails with 29- and 31-inch rail heights and impacted by a 1996 Dodge Neon and a 2006 Ford F250. For the double-faced W-beam guardrail, the modeling and simulation work also included one with a lowered backside rail. Both single- and double-faced guardrails were evaluated under impacts of both vehicles at an impact speed of 62 mph (100 km/h) and a 25° angle. The simulation results showed the effects of guardrail heights on the vehicle's post-impact responses such as redirection, snagging, and spin-out. The use of FE simulations was shown to be both effective and efficient because of their inexpensive repeatability and adaptability. Furthermore, the FE simulations were extremely economical compared to conducting physical crash tests and thus recommended for future investigations of other roadside safety research issues.

Details
Author

Baker, Ryan

Title

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF W-BEAM GUARDRAILS ON SLOPED MEDIANS USING NONLINEAR FINITE ELEMENT SIMULATIONS

Physical Description

1 online resource (128 pages) : PDF

Date

2014

Degree Granting Institution

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Abstract

This thesis presents the research using finite element (FE) modeling and simulations to evaluate the performance of single-faced and double-faced W-beam guardrails for different heights under MASH Test Level 3 (TL-3) impact conditions. The modeling and simulation work was conducted on single-faced and double-faced W-beam guardrails with 29- and 31-inch rail heights and impacted by a 1996 Dodge Neon and a 2006 Ford F250. For the double-faced W-beam guardrail, the modeling and simulation work also included one with a lowered backside rail. Both single- and double-faced guardrails were evaluated under impacts of both vehicles at an impact speed of 62 mph (100 km/h) and a 25° angle. The simulation results showed the effects of guardrail heights on the vehicle's post-impact responses such as redirection, snagging, and spin-out. The use of FE simulations was shown to be both effective and efficient because of their inexpensive repeatability and adaptability. Furthermore, the FE simulations were extremely economical compared to conducting physical crash tests and thus recommended for future investigations of other roadside safety research issues.

Genre

masters theses

Subjects--Topics

Transportation--Planning

Degree

M.S.

Subject Area

Mechanical Engineering

Advisor(s)

Fang, Howie

Committee Members

Smelser, Ronald
Weggel, David

Degree Note

Thesis (M.S.)--University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2014.

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Rights Holder Information

Copyright is held by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Identifier

Baker_uncc_0694N_10712

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/etd:91