Impact attenuator

About: Impact attenuator is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 113 publications have been published within this topic receiving 1196 citations. The topic is also known as: crash cushion & crash attenuator.

Energy absorbing impact barrier

Abstract: An impact attenuator for installation along highways particularly at exit lanes from limited access roads is disclosed. The impact attenuator features the use of one or a plurality of novel crash cushions formed of polyurethane foam having a structure therein to help maintain the integrity of structure. The reinforcement may be a wire basket disposed therein. The attenuator is a device having a plurality of telescoping crash sections that nest upon impact.

Experimental and numerical investigations of the impact behaviour of composite frontal crash structures

Abstract: The present paper deals with the lightweight design and the crashworthiness analysis of a composite impact attenuator for a Formula SAE racing car, in order to pass homologation requirements. The analysed impact attenuator is manufactured by lamination of prepreg sheets in carbon fibres and epoxy matrix, particularly used for sporting applications, and has a very similar geometry to a square frusta, so as to obtain a progressive and controlled deformation. During the design, attention was focused on the material distribution and gradual smoothing, but also on the lamination process, which can heavily affect the energy absorption capability. To reduce the development and testing costs of a new safety design, computational crash simulations for early evaluation of safety behaviour under vehicle impact test were carried out. The dynamic analysis was therefore conducted both numerically, using an explicit finite element code such as LS-DYNA, and experimentally, by means of an appropriately instrumented drop weight test machine, in order to validate the model in terms of deceleration values during crushing. To assess the quality of the simulation results, a comparative analysis was initially developed on simple CFRP composite tubes subjected to dynamic axial loading. The numerical analysis was conducted using both shell and solid elements, in order to reproduce not only the brittleness of the composite structure but also the effective delamination phenomenon. Both the analyses show a good capacity to reproduce the crushing process; this is confirmed by the fact that model estimated displacements and accelerations are in close agreement with observed values for these variables. This confirms the quality of the methodology and approach used for the design of a racing car impact attenuator.

Roadway impact attenuator

Abstract: A roadway impact attenuator adapted to be installed between lanes on a highway or in advance of a barrier on the highway includes a number of substantially identical units each of which has a framework slidably resting on the ground or pavement, and spaced from the barrier or from a similar framework. An energy converting means is disposed between the barrier and the framework. The framework is related to the ground by a ground anchor secured thereto and releasably connected to the framework. Additionally, overlapped side panels are mounted generally horizontally along the sides of the framework, being secured thereto and being secured to similar panels on other frameworks in a telescoping relationship.