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Home » Projects » Analysis and Testing of High Containment Bridge Rail

Analysis and Testing of High Containment Bridge Rail

In this project, TTI researchers performed predictive finite element analyses and subsequent full scale crash tests are presented for a high containment bridge rail design. The bridge rail design was analyzed using nonlinear finite element method using the conditions of EN-1317 tests TB-11 and TB-71. EN-1317 test TB-11 involves a 900 kg passenger car impacting the barrier at a speed of 100 km/h and an angle of 20 degrees.  EN-1317 test TB-71 involves a 30 000 kg heavy goods vehicle (HGV) impacting the barrier at a speed of 65 km/h and an angle of 20 degrees. Subsequently, two full scale crash tests (EN-1317 tests TB-11 and TB-71) of the bridge rail system were conducted. The tests results corroborated the prediction of the finite element simulation and the rail system is considered passed per EN-1317 criteria.

Small vehicle impact: predictive simulation image and full-scale crash test

Small vehicle (900 kg) impact per EN-1317 TB-11. Left: Predictive simulation. Right: Full scale Crash test.

Heavy goods vehicle (30,000 kg) impact per EN-1317 TB-71. Left: Predictive simulation. Right: Full scale Crash test.

Heavy goods vehicle (30,000 kg) impact per EN-1317 TB-71. Left: Predictive simulation. Right: Full scale Crash test.

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