Scale model study of low-density concrete impact attenuators

Abstract

The series of events taking place during an automobile-impact attenuator collision is extremely complex. The response of the attenuator upon impact is dependent on a large number of variables including vehicle impact velocity, weight and angle of incidence.

Current research depends heavily on full-scale experiments to determine the crashworthiness of an attenuator design. This approach can become both costly and time consuming, making scale modeling an attractive alternative.

The purpose of this study is to establish the feasibility of modeling various types of low-density concrete to show by example that the complex structural response of an automobile-impact attenuator collision can be studies with scale models.