Computer simulation of the impact performance of a wire rope safety fence

A computer simulation is developed which models the response mechanics of a roadway wire rope safety fence to a vehicular impact. The simulation is de veloped primarily as a design tool, the aim of which is to reduce the numbe r of full-scale crash tests required during wire rope safety fence developm ent. The experimental observations from full-scale impact tests undertaken at the Motor Industry Research Association are first presented. The simulat ion approach arising from these test observations is then described. The de tailed theory, which models the dynamic motion of the vehicle and the quasi -static response of the fence, is then developed. A final discussion assess es those potential collapse mechanisms which are assumed to be insignifican t and have consequently not been modelled. This discussion, which provides a preliminary validation of the basis of the simulation, indicates that the primary collapse mechanisms of the fence are modelled for a wide range of practical circumstances. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved .