An efficient FE model of slender members for crash analysis of cable barriers

Slender members such as cables and hook–bolts are largely seen in highway cable barriers. These members raise a significant challenge to crash simulations that involve a large number of contact analyses. In this paper, a beam-element model was presented and evaluated for slender members used in the crash analysis of traffic barriers. A numerical study was performed to investigate different modeling options, including various types of elements and contacts, and to compare the beam-element model with conventionally used shell- and solid-element models on stability, accuracy and efficiency. Advantages and disadvantages of the models were discussed. To verify the quality of the beam-element model, numerical simulations of hook–bolt pullout tests were performed under quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions. The accuracy of simulation results was evaluated by comparisons to experimental data available in the literature. Full-scale crash simulations of a cable barrier under vehicular impacts were also included to demonstrate the applicability and efficiency of the beam-element model.