This paper presents the results of finite element computer simulations
of vehicular impacts with a roadside crash cushion. DYNA3D is used to
model the energy-dissipating response of the Narrow Connecticut Impac
t Attenuation System under high-speed impacts with heavy and light veh
icles. The finite element predictions are compared with the experiment
al results of full-scale crash tests involving automobiles impacting t
he device at 97 km/h. It is demonstrated that computer simulations can
effectively model the dynamic response of a crash event and provide v
aluable measures of occupant risk. Computer simulations allow the inve
stigation of crash scenarios involving nontracking, braking, and turni
ng vehicles. Such full-scale crash events are very difficult to conduc
t in the field. It is recommended that these simulation tools be used
more extensively in the design of roadside safety features so that the
number of expensive full-scale crash tests required to develop future
hardware can ben minimized.