Numerical analysis of impact effect on mechanical behavior of strong guardrail system

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to estimate the crashworthiness of a guardrail system, and to optimize the relative vertical distance between centroid of vehicle and mounting height of W-beam. Abaqus/Explicit 6.5 software is used to simulate the dynamic response of the post and W-beam guardrail systems under vehicular impacts. Numerical results of maximum displacement of vehicles during dynamic contact between vehicle and guardrail system with various given masses of vehicles are obtained. Energy-absorbing properties of the guardrail system are studied for different values of centroid height. Influence of frictional coefficient between ground surface and vehicles is also investigated. © 2008 IOP Publishing Ltd.