Tensile properties and impact analysis of the composite waste tire sandwich structure as a crash barrier

Road accidents and disasters were increasing, killing many. Global governments were boosting transportation infrastructure. Crash barrier systems were strong protection barriers placed between road or track lanes to reduce collisions. Over 2020–2030, crash barrier systems were expected to grow rapidly. First, a low-cost composite waste tire sandwich structure was created. Polypropylene, waste tire, coconut fiber, and aluminum powder formed the composite. Each composition had five dumbbell shapes with filler percentages of 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20. Second, characterize and analyze the composite's composition and mechanical properties. For data, the sample was tensile tested. Tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and elongation at break were measured. Third, finite element analysis compared the impact properties of the new and old W-beam structures. Current and new sandwich structure crash barrier impact properties were examined. The new crash barrier is steel-rubber composite steel. SolidWorks was used to design the crash barrier CAD model and Abaqus Explicit Software simulated the dynamic analysis of the most common crash barriers on Malaysian highways and the new design. Simulated data followed. This research product can replace the standard crash barriers. According to simulations, the sandwich structure could absorb more energy than the standard W-beam crash barrier. It was more rigid and impact resistant.