Retrofitting Methods and Crashworthiness Analysis of W-Beam Guardrails Under Code Evolution

Zeng Juncheng; Zhu Zusheng; Cai Jianguo; Yang Zhijun; Li Yongwei; Cao Hongbin

doi:10.13206/j.gjgS25092201

Volume 41 Issue 1

Jan. 2026

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Zeng Juncheng, Zhu Zusheng, Cai Jianguo, Yang Zhijun, Li Yongwei, Cao Hongbin. Retrofitting Methods and Crashworthiness Analysis of W-Beam Guardrails Under Code Evolution[J]. STEEL CONSTRUCTION(Chinese & English), 2026, 41(1): 1-11. doi: 10.13206/j.gjgS25092201

Citation:

Zeng Juncheng, Zhu Zusheng, Cai Jianguo, Yang Zhijun, Li Yongwei, Cao Hongbin. Retrofitting Methods and Crashworthiness Analysis of W-Beam Guardrails Under Code Evolution[J]. STEEL CONSTRUCTION(Chinese & English), 2026, 41(1): 1-11. doi: 10.13206/j.gjgS25092201

Citation:

Zeng Juncheng, Zhu Zusheng, Cai Jianguo, Yang Zhijun, Li Yongwei, Cao Hongbin. Retrofitting Methods and Crashworthiness Analysis of W-Beam Guardrails Under Code Evolution[J]. STEEL CONSTRUCTION(Chinese & English), 2026, 41(1): 1-11. doi: 10.13206/j.gjgS25092201

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Retrofitting Methods and Crashworthiness Analysis of W-Beam Guardrails Under Code Evolution

doi: 10.13206/j.gjgS25092201

1. Fujian Expressway Science & Technology Innovation Research Institute Co., Ltd., Fuzhou 350001, China;
2. Fujian Quanzhou Expressway Co., Ltd., Quanzhou 362000, China;
3. School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China

Received Date: 2025-09-22
Available Online: 2026-02-26
Publish Date: 2026-01-22

Abstract

Abstract

W-beam guardrails play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of vehicles traveling on expressways. However， due to factors such as increased vehicle speeds and additional pavement layers， many guardrails constructed according to older standards no longer meet current safety requirements and urgently require upgrading. This study made full use of the existing structure of legacy guardrails designed under previous regulations and proposed an upgrade method involving sleeve heightening and the addition of “C”-shaped crossbeams. Dynamic simulation models of three vehicle types impacting guardrails were developed using HyperMesh and LS-DYNA software to systematically analyze the guardrail’s crashworthiness—including guiding， buffering， and restraining functions—during vehicle collisions. The study further investigated the deformation mechanisms of the upgraded guardrail and the vehicle rollover characteristics under the impact of different vehicle types. Full-scale vehicle impact tests were also conducted to evaluate the safety performance of the upgraded guardrail. The results showed that the discrepancy between experimental and simulation outcomes was less than 10%， indicating high consistency. The upgraded guardrail met the Level IV （SB） protection standard specified in the new regulations and notably enhanced crashworthiness.
- W-beam guardrail,
- crashworthiness,
- finite element simulation,
- full-scale vehicle impact test

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References(24)

References

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