Modeling Crushable Foam for the SAFER Racetrack Barrier

One of the key components in the new SAFER barrier being installed at many IRL and NASCAR racetracks is the foam blocks placed between an outer steel tube structure and the existing concrete wall. Simple polystyrene insulation foams were proven to have good energy absorbing capabilities and were used as a primary means of energy absorption in the barrier. This foam is very low cost and easy to obtain. Foam research began with obtaining several samples of cubic foam blocks and then performing static and dynamic testing on them. Simulation of the dynamic test with LS-DYNA concentrated on the use of the *MAT_CRUSHABLE_FOAM material model. After successfully modeling of the bogie tests, the component model of the foam was placed in the full-scale model of the SAFER barrier. Later in the research program, the cubic shape foam blocks were replaced with a trapezoidal shape. These trapezoidal shapes were also tested and then, successfully simulated.