Investigation of beam metal road guardrail

Abstract

A mathematical model of a beam metal road guardrail is presented in the paper. Referring to the mathematical model of a guardrail it is possible to investigate beam metal guardrails mostly used on the roads of Lithuania and other countries, to design new guardrails of such type and also to investigate different transport traffic situations (e. g. interaction between the motor vehicle and the guardrail). Beam metal road guardrail is simulated by the first order one-dimensional finite elements taking into consideration only elastic deformations. To identify finite element masses, mechanical energy damping and stiffness matrices its deformation on planes X–Y and X–Z is studied. When mounting guardrails their poles are dug into soil or are concreted (e. g. on bridges or viaducts). Therefore studying the deformation process of the guardrail, interaction between poles and soil is taken into consideration. Results of mathematical simulation are presented in this article: deformation of guardrail band and poles, and guardrail stiffness.