Title: Methodology of experimental research into operating strength and fatigue life of bus and trolleybus bodywork

Authors: M. Kepka, P. Rehor

Addresses: Central Research Institute, SKODA Plzen Ltd., CS-31600 Plzen, Czechoslovakia. ' Central Research Institute, SKODA Plzen Ltd., CS-31600 Plzen, Czechoslovakia

Abstract: Operational strength and fatigue life reliability of trolleybus and bus bodies are usually assessed by computational methods in combination with selected tests. The latter include test runs of vehicles on real routes or on specially designed tracks, tests on complete vehicles under model test conditions and laboratory tests on selected materials, parts and sub-assemblies. A complex experimental programme on the bodywork of large vehicles requires a computer-controlled electro-hydraulic test stand, sophisticated measurement systems with subsequent data processing and other computer-controlled devices with the appropriate software. This paper describes a method of experimental investigation of operational strength and reliability developed and applied at the Central Research Institute Skoda for public-transport road vehicles made in Czechoslovakia.

Keywords: coachwork reliability; fatigue life; operational strength; operating stress measurement; structural component tests; vehicle testing; trolleybuses; buses; public transport; vehicle bodywork; vehicle design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1992.061726

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1992 Vol.13 No.3, pp.242 - 250

Published online: 27 May 2014 *

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