Analysis of Truck Crashes with W-beam Guardrail

Abstract

W-beam guardrail is an excellent method for enhancing traffic safety. The W-beam guardrail comprises of a W-shaped segment and specialized constructions known as support posts. Identifying the effect of the W-beam heights, post spacing, shaped supporting posts, and post-soil interaction may be crucial to improving the crashworthiness of W-beam guardrail. This study evaluated the W-beam guardrail using a finite element model in the event of a 10,000 kg truck collision. Simulations of crash tests were conducted to evaluate the crashworthiness of the W-beam guardrail in accordance with European standard EN1317. The results of this analysis can assist evaluate the design of W-guardrails and guide the future development of guardrail technologies.