Abstract
The evaluation and performance of roadside systems is not an easy task due to many parameters involved in the global behaviour of the structure. In the Polycrash project a technological platform using polymeric materials and computational mechanics is under development. Introductory quasi-static tests, on two simplified road side barriers systems, were used as target solutions for FE analysis validation. The objective of the present report is to describe the numerical procedure adopted to analyse such components.The numerical predictions for the sigma pole-rail agree fairly well with the experimental observations. Deviations of about 10 % in the load carrying capacity were obtained. Bolt failure was deduced to occur at displacement values of 25 % lower than that observed in the experiments. The introduction of a connector element in this type of components is effective and is recommended for larger models. The numerical predictions for the plastic pole-rail presented large deviations when compared to the experiments. Thus, indicating that actual measurement techniques and material models for plastics characterization need to be developed.