Finite element modeling of a hollow structural section connection for load sharing in anti-ram vehicle barriers
Open Access
Author:
Noveral, Christian James
Area of Honors:
Civil Engineering
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Dr. Daniel G Linzell, Thesis Supervisor Eric Todd Donnell, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
finite element connection vehicle impact barrier hollow structural section HSS
Abstract:
As evidenced by various past and present events involving vehicle delivered explosive device attacks on buildings, efficient and effective anti-ram barrier designs can be very beneficial in protecting structures. Anti-ram barriers put in place to protect structures from moving vehicles follow a different design, analysis, and construction approach than most structures, due to the extreme nature of the vehicle impact load. In many situations, it is also important to consider the aesthetic implications of anti-ram barriers when completing a design. Hollow structural section (HSS) steel members are very useful for the design of anti-ram barriers because of their efficiency in resisting torsion or biaxial loads, and their aesthetic and architectural advantages. One problem with using HSS members is that connections between members to facilitate load sharing in a barrier design can be complex in design and challenging to construct. Certain types of efficient pierced member connections do exist as a nature of the HSS shapes, however, their behavior under impact loading is largely undocumented. There exists a need to understand these basic HSS connections and their behavior in anti-ram barriers that use these connections for load sharing. This thesis outlines the possibility of an investigation into these connections through the use of finite element modeling techniques.