Impact load characterization for security barrier performance assessment through simulations using generic vehicle models

The threat stemming from the use of vehicles as a weapon in urban environments may be mitigated by employing properly designed protective structures such as bollards, street furniture or landscaping options. In order to assess the performance of a barrier resistance to a vehicle impact, the initial step involves characterizing the load on the barrier. To this aim, two recently developed generic vehicle models are utilized to conduct numerical simulations of vehicle impacts on a security barrier. Various impact configurations are examined and compared based on force-time functions. In addition to comparing the impact loadings in terms of peak forces, comparisons are also done in terms of equivalent static loads, determined by computing the dynamic load factors (DLF). The study provides new insights into the characterization of vehicle impact loads on security barriers, which could improve current engineering practices in the field.