Safety barrier performance predicted by multi-body dynamics simulation

This paper presents results obtained from analyses using the multi-body dynamics program MEPHISTO. Particular aspects of the applied method are described. The comparison of numerically predicted and corresponding full-scale test results of several impact tests carried out in cooperation with industry partners indicates the reliability of this tool. Impact severity and containment capacity are predicted with acceptable accuracy for various flexible or rigid road restraint systems. Hence, the collected data allow for the drawing of a correlation between severity indices such as ASI and THIV. This knowledge could be a help to solve the quite contentious discussion concerning the addition of an impact severity-level class C and the introduction of more reliable limits for the occupant injury severity, particularly against the background of the recently issued open letter "The Safety Barrier Scandal" by the road safety equipment industry and the European Road Federation.