Bollard Barrier Couplings for Distributed Oblique Impact Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle impact barriers face failure due to severe strains on couplings between bollards when vehicles impact at angles, as impact forces are not evenly distributed, leading to potential failure of the barrier.
Innovation Solution
A bollard apparatus with non-planar lateral edges and articulating couplings between foot members, allowing for efficient load transfer and resistance to tipping during oblique impacts, using a coupling assembly that attaches to lateral edges with offset configurations to distribute impact forces effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If bollards are mechanically coupled neighbour-to-neighbour to form an integrated barrier system, then the barrier provides sufficient robustness and resilience, but the coupling between impacted bollard and neighbouring bollards experiences severe strains during oblique impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier system is segmented into multiple independently embeddable bollard units, each with its own foot member. The articulating coupling allows each unit to move independently while remaining connected, distributing impact forces across multiple segments rather than concentrating them on single coupling points.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling assembly incorporates articulating joints that allow dynamic movement between bollard units during impact events. This dynamic capability enables the couplings to accommodate oblique impacts through controlled movement, reducing the strain on fixed coupling points while maintaining overall barrier integrity.
2Productivity
If bollards are arranged in a linear array, then the barrier can effectively block vehicle access, but oblique impacts cause impact forces to concentrate on single or multiple bollards rather than being distributed
Solution Approach 1:
The articulating coupling enables dynamic response to oblique impacts by allowing bollard units to move and rotate relative to each other. This dynamic movement distributes impact forces across multiple units in the linear array, preventing concentration of forces on single bollards while maintaining the linear configuration's effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling assembly changes the mechanical parameters (movement, orientation) of connected bollard units during impact events. This parameter change allows the system to transform concentrated impact forces into distributed loads across multiple units, improving force distribution while preserving the linear array structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If foot members are embedded in the ground to provide stability, then the bollard units resist impact forces, but oblique impacts can cause tipping moments that strain the embedding and coupling
Solution Approach 1:
Each bollard unit has its own separately embedded foot member, creating segmented stability zones. The articulating coupling connects these stable segments while allowing independent movement, so that the embedding provides stable base support while the coupling absorbs and distributes tipping moments across multiple units.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulating coupling acts as an intermediary between the embedded foot members and the bollard shafts. It mediates the forces between the stable embedded base and the upper structure, absorbing and distributing tipping moments generated by oblique impacts, thereby protecting both the embedding and the overall structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A bollard apparatus for use as a vehicle barrier includes: a plurality of bollard members; a plurality of separate foot members adapted for ground engagement by placement upon or embedment within a surface, one or more of which is attached to at least one bollard member upstanding therefrom, wherein at least one foot member includes: a front edge; a rear edge; at least one lateral edge which opposes a corresponding lateral edge of a neighbouring foot member, wherein at least one lateral edge extends between the front and rear edges and is non-planar so as to include: a first edge part; and, a second edge part that is laterally offset from the first edge part, wherein the bollard apparatus further includes a coupling assembly which couples the foot member to the neighbouring foot member, wherein the coupling assembly is attached to the lateral edge.