Date of Award

Fall 1996

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

Program/Concentration

Mechanical Engineering

Committee Director

Sebastian Bawab

Committee Member

Gene Hou

Committee Member

Stephen Cupschalk

Call Number for Print

Special Collections; LD4331.E56 M379

Abstract

Mass transportation is an ever increasing alternative being researched and evaluated in today's society. With the increase of demand for such transportation, an increase in safety is also needed. This research entails the analysis of a new idea, The Friendly Mobile Barrier, in railroad crossing barrier design. The design is meant to prevent any approaching vehicle from crossing a railroad track and be survivable for those impacting the barrier.

Research conducted involves the crash simulation and analysis of the Friendly Mobile Barrier. The Friendly Mobile Barrier was analyzed structurally using finite element analysis. An advanced lumped-mass mathematical model software, Crash Reproduction Using Static History (CRUSH), was used to simulate and analyze the Friendly Mobile Barner to determine time-histo1y of the displacement, velocity, and acceleration. A compression code was also developed to analyze the Friendly Mobile Barrier for optimizing the design regarding spring placement and stiffness for optimal energy absorption. These simulations were then ve1ified experimentally for feasibility. Finally, a full-scale prototype model of the Friendly Mobile Barrier was built and expe1imentally crash tested. The results of the crash test were compared with those of the computer simulation for final validation of assumptions and modeling approach. Future work recommendations are made concerning the Friendly Mobile Barrier design based on results of the research done in this thesis.

Rights

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DOI

10.25777/mg07-dp04

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