Design and safety assessment of a novel GFRP lattice-rubber sandwich anti-collision island: Full-scale real-vehicle crash test

Abstract

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have garnered significant interest in impact protection engineering owing to their exceptional mechanical properties and energy dissipation capabilities. Conventional reinforced concrete anti-collision islands, characterized by inherent rigidity and inadequate energy absorption, frequently induce catastrophic structural failures and occupant injuries during vehicular collisions. This investigation proposes an innovative GFRP lattice-rubber sandwich structure to enhance impact mitigation performance. Experimental evaluations through hammer impact testing revealed substantial force attenuation, with peak impact forces measuring 307.34 kN (3 m) and 364.64 kN (6 m), demonstrating 72.8% and 68.3% reductions compared to conventional concrete counterparts (970.37 kN and 1344.44 kN, respectively). Full-scale real-vehicle crash test further validated the system’s efficacy, exhibiting limited superficial damage in the composite layer alongside markedly reduced vehicular structural deformation. Data indicated compliance with occupant safety thresholds, as evidenced by controlled dummy acceleration profiles and force distribution metrics. The observed temporal decoupling between vehicular and anti-collision island acceleration maxima (Δt = 0.24s) substantiates the energy dissipation mechanism through controlled elastomeric deformation, effectively prolonging impact duration while mitigating peak load intensity. The findings provide experimental support for the application of GFRP-lattice structures in highway anti-collision Islands, demonstrating their promising prospects for engineering applications.