BUS STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

Details are given of an investigation carried out into the cracking of a bus body waist rail. The vehicle was strain-gauged in the area of the problem and measurements taken on a typical service route and on the pave track which included cornering, kerbing and braking manoeuvres. A finite element model of the complete vehicle was produced to use as the basis for the correlation between test and analysis. Good correlation was obtained for certain types of manoeuvres and this was used to predict a life for the vehicle. A detailed finite element model of the particular joint area under stress was produced and a revised joint developed together with a reinforcement for the body. Tables are presented of the stress values measured and diagrams illustrate stress contours at the joint.