Design of an impact attenuator for passive safety on roads

Abstract

The research is aimed at the study and validation of an impact attenuator to be installed on roads. Its main function is to absorb the energy generated by an impact, therefore, the different regulations (national and international) are analyzed together with the materials that lead to reduce the severity of the accident. From this point, the best material is selected through a decision matrix under specific parameters, the design of the shape of the attenuator using a Pugh matrix ideal for the selection of completely new designs and the dynamic simulation is established to observe the behavior. The modeling of the attenuator geometry is created by engineering software and its geometry itself, it is designed in sections with mitigating elements among them. For the validation of the design, the one with the greatest capacity to dissipate energy is chosen, for this purpose, the behavior of the impact attenuator in the event of a vehicle crash is observed using finite element analysis software, defining simulation variables and varying geometry parameters, resulting after several simulations that the 0.8 mm thick impact attenuator design is the most suitable to reduce the crashing effect by reducing the kinetic energy of the rigid body by 92.72%.