Computer Simulations of Roadside Crash Cushion Impacts

Abstract

This paper presents the results of finite element computer simulations of vehicular impacts with a roadside crash cushion. DYNA3D is used to model the energy-dissipating response of the Narrow Connecticut Impact Attenuation System under high-speed impacts with heavy and light vehicles. The finite element predictions are compared with the experimental results of full-scale crash tests involving automobiles impacting the device at 97 km/h. It is demonstrated that computer simulations can effectively model the dynamic response of a crash event and provide valuable measures of occupant risk. Computer simulations allow the investigation of crash scenarios involving nontracking, braking, and turning vehicles. Such full-scale crash events are very difficult to conduct in the field. It is recommended that these simulation tools be used more extensively in the design of roadside safety features so that the number of expensive full-scale crash tests required to develop future hardware can be minimized.