Summary of the proposed work
The project will initiate with an extensive literature review on the physical and mechanical properties of the materials to be used as well as an investigation of the performance of mixtures developed in previous research. Material proportions that could delivered the required product properties will be identified, and based on this information the researcher will consider trial mixture proportions. The current safety barrier designs will be also reviewed, aiming to identify gaps in current designs through a comparison between existing products and their performance in validated experimental testing. Following the current literature and barrier design reviews, steel fibre reinforced rubberised concrete mixtures will be optimized for workability, flow and strength; examining varying dosage ranges for rubber particles and steel fibre as well as self compacting rubberised concrete.
After examination of the mixture development outcomes and review of the current safety barriers, steel fibre reinforced rubberised concrete safety barriers will be designed geometrically. Numerical simulations will be performed using finite element software in order to optimize the geometry of the barriers and derive design recommendations. Laboratory specimens will be tested experimentally for under static and cyclic loading and also under dynamic impact loading, as well as for environmental durability. A Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Cost Analysis will be performed, to determine the environmental impact and economic cost of the barriers.
