| Author | Chanthrawan Suangka |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.ST-04-03 |
| Subject(s) | Finite element method
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
degree of Master of Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. ST-04-03 |
| Abstract | Concrete traffic barriers are devices which perform their purpose by redirecting
errant vehicles away from roadside hazards. Construction of concrete barriers in Thailand
follows the standard drawings of the Thailand Department of Highways, which are based
on the AASHTO design guideline. However, reinforcement detail and some material
properties of concrete barriers used in Thailand are different from those used in the USA.
Size and weight of vehicles in Thailand are also dissimilar to the USA. Until now, full-scale
crash testing and computer simulation of vehicle/concrete barrier impact to evaluate
the safety performance of concrete barriers has not been conducted in Thailand.
Finite element impact simulations by the LS-DYNA3D computer program were
used to evaluate the safety of concrete traffic barriers of Thailand so that the number of
expensive full-scale crash tests can be minimized. The first step was to develop a
methodology for creating accurate finite element representation of concrete barriers. This
objective was achieved by developing a finite element model of a US safety-shape
concrete barrier design and using full-scale crash test data to validate the model. Once the
fidelity and accuracy of the modeling methodology was proven, a finite element model of
Thailand concrete barrier design was created and its safety performance was evaluated
according to the safety performance evaluation criteria of NCHRP Report 350.
The simulation results were that the Thailand concrete barrier was determined to be
satisfactory in accordance with the safety criteria of NCHRP Report 350. Additionally, the
763-mm Thailand concrete barrier was analyzed with the result that the Thailand concrete
barrier still provided a satisfactory safety performance for the small car and the pickup
truck even if a 50-mm overlay was placed on the adjacent road surface. |
| Year | 2004 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. ST-04-03 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology |
| Department | Department of Civil and Infrastucture Engineering (DCIE) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Structural Engineering (STE) /Former Name = Structural Engineering and Construction (ST) |
| Chairperson(s) | Barry, William J.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai ;Tatsa, Elisha Zeev ; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | The STARR Foundation, U.S.A.; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2004 |