PURPOSES: This paper presents a finite element model to accurately represent the soil-post interaction of single guardrail posts in sloping ground. In this study, the maximum lateral resistance of a guardrail post has been investigated under static and dynamic loadings, with respect given to several parameters including post shape, embedment depth, ground inclination, and embedment location of the steel post. METHODS: Because current analytical methods applied to horizontal ground, including Winkler’s elastic spring model and the p-y curve method, cannot be directly applied to sloping ground, it is necessary to seek an alternative 3-D finite element model. For this purpose, a 3D FHWA soil model for road-base soils, as constructed using LS-DYNA, has been adopted to estimate the dynamic behavior of single guardrail posts using the pendulum drop test. RESULTS: For a laterally loaded guardrail post near slopes under static and dynamic loadings, the maximum lateral resistance of a guardrail post has been found to be reduced by approximately 12% and 13% relative to the static analysis and pendulum testing, respectively, due to the effects of ground inclination. CONCLUSIONS: It is expected that the proposed soil material model can be applied to guardrail systems installed near slopes.

This study investigated the embedded depth of guardrail posts through 3-D soil material model and carried out evaluation of the dynamic performance of guard rail. In order to calculate for embedded depth of sloping ground, displacement of guardrail posts is analyzed according to the embedded depth of experiment variables. Through the static test of guardrail posts, the maximum deflection was found to decrease the interval. By performing the dynamic test using the Bogie Car, that is confirmed the elastic modulus of the soil occuring the maximum deflection. Guardrail posts is considered to need for further reinforcement in the larger slope than the plains. This study researched about maximum displacement and deviation velocity through dynamic performance of guardrail system and conducted analysis about protection performance evaluation of passenger.

PURPOSES: This paper evaluates, using LS/DYNA-3D software, the vehicle impact performance of flexible barriers made of steel WBeam supported by four different types of post configurations. These types include circular post, H-shape post, C-shape post, and square post. METHODS : The post-soil interaction has been investigated according to different impact angles. For this purpose, energy absorption, maximum displacements of post and rail, and occupant risk index of THIV have been compared each other. The three dimensional soil material model, instead of the conventional spring model based on Winkler and p-y curve, has been used to increase the correctness of computational model. RESULTS: It is noted the crash energy absorption has been increased with respect to the increase of impact angle. CONCLUSIONS : In particular, a post with open section(H-shape, C-shape) shows the greater crash energy absorption capability as compared with a post with closed section under the same level of impact conditions.

PURPOSES: This paper evaluates, using LS/DYNA-3D software, the vehicle impact performance of flexible barriers made of steel WBeam supported by four different types of post configurations. These types include circular post, H-shape post, C-shape post, and square post. METHODS : The post-soil interaction has been investigated according to different impact angles. For this purpose, energy absorption, maximum displacements of post and rail, and occupant risk index of THIV have been compared each other. The three dimensional soil material model, instead of the conventional spring model based on Winkler and p-y curve, has been used to increase the correctness of computational model. RESULTS: It is noted the crash energy absorption has been increased with respect to the increase of impact angle. CONCLUSIONS : In particular, a post with open section(H-shape, C-shape) shows the greater crash energy absorption capability as compared with a post with closed section under the same level of impact conditions.