Abstract
Structural analysis is an elementary part of a bus shell development. It means calculations, tests, measurements and any other action contributing to ensure the necessary strength of the product.
In recent years application of composites as structural material are getting more and more significant.
In the composite project NABI conducted full vehicle tests on prototypes as below:
Altoona Test Track - obligatory for transit buses in USA
Ortech-Bodycoat Lifetime Endurance Test including
on road measurements
and fatigue test on pulsator
Ortech test means 500 000 miles on New York roads and it is equivalent to 1 000 000 miles on average American roads per generally accepted opinion.
Further refinements, developments of new types need the numerical handling of the product. Therefore base material measurements (determination of fabric properties) are fundamental input parameters for calculations.
This paper intends to survey the strength calculation of a composite bus structure.