Title: Impact behaviour of G2 steel weak-post W-beam guardrail on nonlevel terrain

Authors: A.O. Atahan

Addresses: Civil Engineering Department, Mustafa Kemal University, Serinyol, 31040, Hatay, Turkey

Abstract: The G2 steel weak-post W-beam guardrail system is characterised by larger dynamic deflections in a collision and is considered more forgiving compared to other stiffer barriers. The impact performance of the system is found to be satisfactory on a level terrain. However, in Turkey there are several locations where G2 systems are installed on the slope break point adjacent to steep roadside slopes, and the impact performance of G2 systems under these circumstances has never been investigated. In this study, the impact behaviour of G2 guardrail systems on nonlevel terrain is investigated. LS-DYNA, a dynamic, nonlinear, large deformation finite element analysis program is used to predict the crash performance of G2 systems installed adjacent to roadside slopes. The results of the analysis substantiate the risk of vehicle instability when the roadside slope adjacent to the guardrail becomes steeper than 6:1 horizontal to vertical.

Keywords: computer simulation; full-scale crash test; roadside slope; Turkish road safety; vehicle instability; weak-post W-beam guardrail.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2003.003207

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2003 Vol.10 No.3, pp.209 - 223

Published online: 24 Jul 2003 *

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