Development of European End-Treatment TWINY Using Simulation and Crash Testing

Abstract

In this study, a simple guardrail end treatment, called TWINY, designed particularly for use with a thrie-beam guardrail system is developed. In the first phase, the system is designed and analyzed using a versatile, highly nonlinear finite-element analysis program LS-DYNA. Two different crashes involving a head on impact and a 15° angle impact are simulated using LS-DYNA. In both simulations, a nominal 900 kg car traveling at 80 km/h is used to impact the end treatment as outlined in European Crash Testing Guidelines EN1317 section 4. Based on the successful simulation results, both tests are repeated in a crash test facility in Germany to substantiate simulation predictions. Full-scale crash testing results compared favorably with those obtained from LS-DYNA simulation. Based on the results, a final full-scale crash testing was carried out on the system to fully verify its compliance with the EN1317 section 4. A 1,300 kg compact car traveling at 80 km/h impacted the end terminal at its midlength at an angle of 15°. The vehicle is successfully redirected with minimal damage to both vehicle and terminal. Based on the simulation and full-scale crash test results, it can be concluded that TWINY is a promising end treatment for steel thrie-beam guardrail terminals and can be implemented at the European Highway System with confidence.