In this study, finite element simulations were used to evaluate the safety performance of Portable Concrete Barriers (PCBs). Detailed finite element models of the most commonly used PCBs, with different shapes, sizes, and connection types, were developed and validated against previously conducted full-scale crash tests. The full-scale crash tests and simulations were setup for an impact of the PCB with a 2000 kg pickup truck at an angle of 25 deg and an initial velocity of 100 km/hr. This setup is in accordance with the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 350 guidelines for Test Level 3 safety performance. Having validated these models, computer simulations were performed to assess the barrier performances for a full matrix of barrier shapes, lengths and connection combinations. A design table, summarizing the PCBs safety performance based on the results from the matrix of simulations, was generated.
Samenvatting