Finite Element Modeling and Validation of a 3-Strand Cable Guardrail System

The primary purpose of longitudinal safety barriers, such as cable barriers, is to contain and/or redirect errant vehicles that depart the roadway, hence keeping them from entering opposing travel lanes or encountering terrain features and roadside objects that may cause severe impacts. In this study, a detailed finite element model of a three-strand cable barrier was developed and validated against a previously conducted full-scale crash test. The full-scale crash test and simulation were setup for an impact of the cable barrier with a 2000 kg pickup truck at an angle of 25 deg and an initial velocity of 100 km/hr. This setup is in accordance with the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 350 guidelines for Test Level 3 safety performance. This paper provides guidelines for simulating cable barrier guardrail systems. Detailed methods for system simulation involving dynamic interactions of soil/post, post/hook bolts, cable/ hook bolts and cable/truck are discussed. Results from the simulation and comparisons with the full-scale crash test are presented. Working Paper NCAC 2004-W-002 October 2004