FEA Design and Crashworthiness Evaluation of a 31-Inch W-Beam Guardrail System for Placement on a 3H:1V Sloped Terrain Configuration

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to develop a 31-inch (787 mm) W-beam guardrail system to be placed with a 3H:1V slope in front of the barrier. The structural capacity and the occupant risk factors of such a proposed guardrail system were evaluated with respect to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) TL-3 criteria. Finite element computer models of new guardrail designs for evaluation when placed on a 3H:1V sloped terrain configuration were developed and impact simulations were conducted to support their evaluation according to MASH standards evaluation criteria. Three barrier designs for placement on a 3H:1V slope were suggested for evaluation through predictive computer simulations. All systems appear to be crashworthy and likely to pass safety evaluation criteria required for MASH. Depending on the desired system post distance location from the 3H:1V slope break, the researchers recommend evaluation of selected design through full-scale crash testing according to MASH TL-3 criteria. The information compiled from this research will provide the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and State Departments of Transportation with a W-beam guardrail design as a crashworthy system to be placed with a 3H:1V slope in front of a barrier.