Crash impact attenuator systems and methods

A crash impact attenuator system for mitigating a direct vehicular impact with a structure, the system comprising:

• an attenuator portion comprising a rail extending along a length of the crash impact attenuator system and a plurality of diaphragms initially disposed in spaced relation along the length of the rail, each of the plurality of diaphragms having a base end or foot adapted to be movably engaged with the rail, so that when the crash impact attenuator system receives an impact force from an impacting vehicle, a first one of the plurality of diaphragms moves rearwardly along the rail and impacts a second one of the plurality of diaphragms, wherein both the first and second ones of the plurality of diaphragms move further rearwardly along the rail, this process continuing with additional ones of the plurality of diaphragms until the impact forces have been fully attenuated;
• the attenuator portion further including a plurality of side panels disposed along a side of the attenuator portion;
• the plurality of side panels being adapted to slide rearwardly along the attenuator portion when the crash impact attenuator system is impacted by a vehicle, so that a first one of the plurality of side panels slides over a second one of the plurality of side panels as it the first one of the plurality of side panels slides rearwardly responsive to a vehicular impact, each of the plurality of side panels including a plurality of holes disposed in material comprising each of the plurality of side panels, the plurality of holes extending along a length of each of the plurality of side panels and being spaced lengthwise from one another;
• and
• a tearing member disposed on the attenuator portion which is adapted to engage one of the plurality of holes in the material forming the first one of the plurality of side panels, wherein when the crash attenuator system is impacted by a vehicle, relative motion occurs between the first one of the plurality of side panels and the tearing member, thereby tearing a fracture or slit in the material forming the first one of the plurality of side panels which extends between adjacent ones of the plurality of holes, the tearing of the side panel material attenuating the impact force, the side panel material being tuned to optimize the tearing of the side panel material;
• wherein the first one of the plurality of side panels comprises a first stage attenuator portion and a second stage attenuator portion is disposed on either a rearward portion of the first one of the plurality of side panels or on the second one of the plurality of side panels, the first stage attenuator portion being forward of the second stage attenuator portion, the plurality of holes disposed in the first stage attenuator portion being configured and tuned to have a first shape, pattern, and/or spacing between holes to trigger a Mode I tensile failure, and a plurality of holes disposed in the second stage attenuator portion being configured and tuned to have a second shape, pattern, and/or spacing between holes different than the first shape, pattern, and/or spacing between holes to trigger a Mode II shearing failure.