Testing the The Shock Absorption Capability of Model Crash Barriers by Measuring Deflection

Simon Wyatt

School Name

Spring Valley High School

Grade Level

11th Grade

Presentation Topic

Engineering

Presentation Type

Non-Mentored

Abstract

One of the problems on racetracks, and especially very tight tracks with walls, is drivers crashing into the walls. In most simple tracks, the car and driver will meet a steel guardrail, which is mostly rigid, can severely damage cars, and has a high risk of hurting the driver. There are two other types of crash barriers that are used; however, tire barriers and a HDPF (high density polymer foam) barrier. The purpose of the research was to test which of these alternate crash barriers is the most effective at absorbing impacts by measuring deflection off of the barrier. It was hypothesized that the HDPF barrier would have the lower deflection and the rubber would have the higher deflection. To set up the experiment a ramp was constructed, and the barriers were placed at the end of them. A cart with weight on it was rolled down the ramp and hit the barrier. The deflection off of the barrier was measured in cm. The results showed the foam barrier with the lower deflection. A t-test was conducted to test the data for significance. At alpha=0.05, t(85)=-5.122, p<0.001. The data was significant and the results supported the hypothesis of the HPDF barrier being more effective and agreed with previous research findings.

Location

John's Hall 107

Start Date

3-28-2020 12:15 PM

Presentation Format

Oral and Written

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Mar 28th, 12:15 PM

Testing the The Shock Absorption Capability of Model Crash Barriers by Measuring Deflection

John's Hall 107

One of the problems on racetracks, and especially very tight tracks with walls, is drivers crashing into the walls. In most simple tracks, the car and driver will meet a steel guardrail, which is mostly rigid, can severely damage cars, and has a high risk of hurting the driver. There are two other types of crash barriers that are used; however, tire barriers and a HDPF (high density polymer foam) barrier. The purpose of the research was to test which of these alternate crash barriers is the most effective at absorbing impacts by measuring deflection off of the barrier. It was hypothesized that the HDPF barrier would have the lower deflection and the rubber would have the higher deflection. To set up the experiment a ramp was constructed, and the barriers were placed at the end of them. A cart with weight on it was rolled down the ramp and hit the barrier. The deflection off of the barrier was measured in cm. The results showed the foam barrier with the lower deflection. A t-test was conducted to test the data for significance. At alpha=0.05, t(85)=-5.122, p<0.001. The data was significant and the results supported the hypothesis of the HPDF barrier being more effective and agreed with previous research findings.