Title: Composite bus rollover simulation and testing

Authors: Luis Castejon, Antonio Miravete, Jesus Cuartero

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, CPS Ingenieros, University of Zaragoza, Maria de Luna s/n, Zaragoza 50.018, Spain. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, CPS Ingenieros, University of Zaragoza, Maria de Luna s/n, Zaragoza 50.018, Spain. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, CPS Ingenieros, University of Zaragoza, Maria de Luna s/n, Zaragoza 50.018, Spain

Abstract: The present paper shows a simulation technique for the rollover test, based on the Geneva Regulation number 66, of complete steel or composite buses, which required a previous validation. A new concept of lightweight bus wholly made of composites is shown, owing to its outstanding advantages in the transportation, such as weight saving. This bus structure is able to meet the stiffness and strength requirements, which must be overcome by metallic buses. The rollover of the composite bus is studied by means of the developed simulation technique. A prototype of the composite bus was built and tested.

Keywords: buses; composite materials; Geneva Regulation number 66; numerical simulation; rollover; testing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2006.010584

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2006 Vol.13 No.4, pp.281 - 297

Published online: 03 Aug 2006 *

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