Performance assessment of UHPC composite barriers under velocity impacts

This study investigates the structural performance of a novel UHPC-based composite barrier designed to enhance roadside safety under vehicular impacts. The barrier adopts a three-layer configuration of Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC), High Strength Concrete (HSC), and Normal Concrete (NC), ai...

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Main Authors: Viet Chinh Mai, Quoc Anh Vu, Van Tu Nguyen, Duc Tiep Pham
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-12-01
Series:Case Studies in Construction Materials
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525008605
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author Viet Chinh Mai
Quoc Anh Vu
Van Tu Nguyen
Duc Tiep Pham
author_facet Viet Chinh Mai
Quoc Anh Vu
Van Tu Nguyen
Duc Tiep Pham
author_sort Viet Chinh Mai
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the structural performance of a novel UHPC-based composite barrier designed to enhance roadside safety under vehicular impacts. The barrier adopts a three-layer configuration of Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC), High Strength Concrete (HSC), and Normal Concrete (NC), aiming to balance energy absorption, structural integrity, and construction feasibility. A finite element model is developed in ABAQUS to simulate vehicle-barrier collisions, incorporating the experimentally derived bond parameters and cohesive elements. Under a 25-ton truck impact at 96.5 km/h, the simulation indicates that only the directly impacted 4-meter barrier segment undergoes significant damage. Furthermore, the outer UHPC layer bears the majority of the stress and dissipates most of the impact energy, while internal HSC and NC layers remain structurally stable. The stress levels in the reinforcement components remain within the elastic domain, as evidenced by values of 189 MPa in the steel bars and 268 MPa in the shear connectors, thereby confirming structural integrity. The investigation provides a promising foundation for future experimental validation and the development of practical UHPC barrier designs for highway applications.
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spelling doaj-art-5fcb3aaaa6d145c09e1fa63293ddb3412025-08-20T03:36:39ZengElsevierCase Studies in Construction Materials2214-50952025-12-0123e0506210.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05062Performance assessment of UHPC composite barriers under velocity impactsViet Chinh Mai0Quoc Anh Vu1Van Tu Nguyen2Duc Tiep Pham3Institute of Construction Technology, Le Quy Don Technical University, Hanoi, VietnamFaculty of Civil Engineering, Hanoi Architectural University, Hanoi, Vietnam; Corresponding author.Institute of Construction Technology, Le Quy Don Technical University, Hanoi, VietnamInstitute of Construction Technology, Le Quy Don Technical University, Hanoi, VietnamThis study investigates the structural performance of a novel UHPC-based composite barrier designed to enhance roadside safety under vehicular impacts. The barrier adopts a three-layer configuration of Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC), High Strength Concrete (HSC), and Normal Concrete (NC), aiming to balance energy absorption, structural integrity, and construction feasibility. A finite element model is developed in ABAQUS to simulate vehicle-barrier collisions, incorporating the experimentally derived bond parameters and cohesive elements. Under a 25-ton truck impact at 96.5 km/h, the simulation indicates that only the directly impacted 4-meter barrier segment undergoes significant damage. Furthermore, the outer UHPC layer bears the majority of the stress and dissipates most of the impact energy, while internal HSC and NC layers remain structurally stable. The stress levels in the reinforcement components remain within the elastic domain, as evidenced by values of 189 MPa in the steel bars and 268 MPa in the shear connectors, thereby confirming structural integrity. The investigation provides a promising foundation for future experimental validation and the development of practical UHPC barrier designs for highway applications.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525008605Composite barriersUltra High Performance Concrete (UHPC)High Strength Concrete (HSC)KCC modelImpact load
spellingShingle Viet Chinh Mai
Quoc Anh Vu
Van Tu Nguyen
Duc Tiep Pham
Performance assessment of UHPC composite barriers under velocity impacts
Case Studies in Construction Materials
Composite barriers
Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC)
High Strength Concrete (HSC)
KCC model
Impact load
title Performance assessment of UHPC composite barriers under velocity impacts
title_full Performance assessment of UHPC composite barriers under velocity impacts
title_fullStr Performance assessment of UHPC composite barriers under velocity impacts
title_full_unstemmed Performance assessment of UHPC composite barriers under velocity impacts
title_short Performance assessment of UHPC composite barriers under velocity impacts
title_sort performance assessment of uhpc composite barriers under velocity impacts
topic Composite barriers
Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC)
High Strength Concrete (HSC)
KCC model
Impact load
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525008605
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AT ductieppham performanceassessmentofuhpccompositebarriersundervelocityimpacts