Fluid–structure interaction analysis of full scale vehicle-barrier impact using coupled SPH–FEA

Portable water-filled barriers (PWFB) are roadside structures used to separate moving traffic from work-zones. Numerical PWFB modelling is preferred in the design stages prior to actual testing. This paper aims to study the fluid–structure interaction of PWFB under vehicular impact using several methods. The strategy to treat water as non-structural mass was proposed and the errors were investigated. It was found that water can be treated with the FEA–NSM model for velocities higher than 80 km h−1. However, the full SPH/FEA model is still the best treatment for water and necessary for lower impact velocities. The findings in this paper can be used as guidelines for modelling and designing PWFB.