The Center for Transportation Computational Mechanics at the Texas Transportation Institute enables researchers to conduct virtual crash tests using the LS-DYNA computer simulation program. It is one of five such university-based centers established by the Federal Highway Administration and is funded jointly by that agency, the Texas DOT, the Texas A&M Supercomputer Center and TTI. Recent research sought to develop improved roadside barrier treatment and placement guidelines. One practice that was studied was the use of concrete or asphalt mow strips being placed directly beneath guard rails to eliminate the need for mowing between fence posts. The safety aspects of this policy had never been studied. And no standard had ever been developed for how mow strips should be configured. Two full-scale crash tests were performed on a design developed from a computer simulation. Both of the tests compared favorably with the simulation, and standards are expected to be developed as a result.
Abstract