Assessment of Load Sharing Members in an Anti-Ram Bollard System. Issue 4 (December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kinney, Scott; Linzell, Daniel; O'Hare, Edward
• Is Part Of: International journal of protective structures. Volume 5:Issue 4(2014)
• Page Start: 417
• Page End: 433
• Publication Date: 2014-12
• Subjects: Perimeter security -- finite element modeling -- crash testing -- load sharing -- impact design; Buildings -- Protection -- Periodicals; Buildings -- Blast effects -- Periodicals; Building, Bombproof -- Periodicals; Structural analysis (Engineering) -- Periodicals; Shock (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; 624.176
• DOI: 10.1260/2041-4196.5.4.417
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2041-4196

Abstract

Due to the increased frequency, scale, and danger of malicious attacks carried out by Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs), anti-ram bollards have become a key element in the protection of critical structures. This study focused on the evaluation of above grade load sharing members in a steel anti-ram bollard system in an attempt to develop efficient load sharing mechanisms that improve the structure's ability to resist vehicle impacts, while concurrently remaining aesthetically pleasing to the general public. A computational assessment was completed using calibrated LS-DYNA finite element models to determine if effective load sharing member configurations and designs could be established so that further optimization of the entire anti-ram system was possible. It was determined that efficient above-grade load sharing could improve the crashworthiness of the anti-ram bollard systems that were studied. Of the configurations that were investigated, the most effective load sharing member design was a single HSS member connecting the vertical bollards near their exposed free ends.