Crashworthiness of the bollard system by experimentally validated virtual test

Abstract

Shielding risky/vulnerable roadside zones in urban areas such as playgrounds, sidewalks, bus stations, oil/gas stations, and regulators of infrastructure facilities has been a significant focus point by engineers and local authorities in recent decades due to the boost of vehicular number and mobility. Bollard systems are regarded as one of the efficient countermeasures, especially for the zones that vehicles and pedestrians share. This paper discusses the performance of a steel bollard system by experimentally validated virtual crash tests following IWA 14-1 (Vehicle security barriers (VSB): Performance requirement, vehicle impact test method and performance rating), EN 1317 (Road Restraint Systems), and EN 16303 (Validation and verification process for virtual testing in crash testing against vehicle restraint system) standards. In this context, pendulum crash tests were performed, virtual pendulum crash tests were verified and modelled with the results of actual tests then full-scale virtual crashworthiness tests were conducted respectively. The penetration, Acceleration Severity Index (ASI), displacement, and deformation values of the bollard system were evaluated considering the relevant standards and the characteristics of urban traffic. Based on virtual test results with increased reliability, the bollard system has the capability to shield the roadside critical assets against M1 class 900 kg vehicles up to 50 km/h and M1 class 1500 kg vehicles up to 32 km/h.