Numerical Modelling for Energy Absorption of Reinforced Concrete Barriers Covered with Natural Rubber

Abstract

Due to the oversupplying, applications of natural rubber are widely introduced in Thailand. In this research, a deployment of natural rubber with typical road safety concrete barrier is investigated numerically. There are many various kinds of barriers to be used not only to prevent vehicles from collision with an opposite vehicle but also to protect from roadside hazards. Therefore, nonlinear finite element modelling was employed to investigate the more efficiencies of barrier covered with rubber sheets by means of finite element analysis. The three-dimensional model is involved with three different homogeneous materials under static analysis while applying an area load representing a car colliding to the barrier. The results have shown that barrier with rubbers can absorb impact force from the vehicles.