Vehicle Impact Analysis of Flexible Barriers Supported by Different Shaped Posts in Sloping Ground

Abstract

A roadside guardrail may be constructed near slopes. The desired safety behavior is ensured not only by the guardrail structure itself, but also by the interaction between soil and guardrail post. In the case of horizontal ground, the elastic Winkler spring model and the p - y curve approach can be used to estimate the soil-post interaction by the finite element method. However, it is difficult to apply those models with the sloping ground cases unless sufficient experimental data are given through the single post impact tests. This paper evaluates, using LS-DYNA software, the vehicle impact performance of flexible barriers made of steel W-Beam guardrails in sloping ground that are also supported over three different types of post configurations. The dynamic performance is tested in terms of maximum deflection, absorbing impact energy, and occupant risk index according to post types.