Energy absorbing vehicle barrier

A method of arresting a vehicle, said method comprising:

• providing an energy absorbing vehicle barrier, said vehicle barrier comprising at least one frame defining a compartment, an energy absorbing cartridge disposed within said compartment;
• a retaining device coupled to said frame, said retaining device being disposed above and extending over at least a portion an upper surface of said cartridge;
• impacting said barrier with said vehicle;
• and
• restraining said cartridge in at least a substantially vertical direction with said retaining device during said impact, said retaining device and said frame thereby substantially retaining said cartridge within said compartment during said impacting.

A method of assembling an energy absorbing vehicle barrier, said method comprising:

• assembling a frame to define at least one compartment, said frame having at least two opposing sides extending in a longitudinal direction thereof and a nose extending between and coupled to said sides;
• placing a cartridge within said compartment;
• and
• attaching a retaining device to said frame above an upper surface of said cartridge.