Experimental validation of the numerical model of a car impact on a road barrier

This analysis considers the problem related to the transport safety improvement by applying specialized energy absorbing elements. The advanced finite element method was used to solve this problem. The obtained results permit to estimate the practical usability of the proposed solution. In previous works of the examination team [1-5] a series of numerical analysis of the car -- road barrier dynamical system, directed to the elaboration of the numerical model methodology of an impact problem with the use of chosen CAE programs, was submitted. In this article experimental results of a Suzuki Swift car impact into a standard road barrier arę presented. Tests were carried out at the Automotive Industry Institute (PIMOT) in Warsaw, with the use of a test sample of the road barrier. Presented results of experimental tests serve to validation of a numerical model of the aforementioned system. For the safety sake the car's speed during the experimental examinations was limited to 50 km/h. Moreover, the vehicle hit perpendicularly a properly modified road barrier's sector. Experimental initial boundary and constructional conditions were modelled in numerical examinations. in which a commonlv available Suzuki Swift car model, http://www.ncac.gwu.edu, was used. Numerical analysis was carried out with the use of LS-DYNA system