The design and type approval of coach structures for roll–over using the CRASH–D program. (4th August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brown, J.C.
• Is Part Of: International journal of vehicle design. Volume 11:Number 4/5(1990)
• Page Start: 361
• Page End: 373
• Publication Date: 2014-08-04
• Subjects: bus design -- coaches -- collapse mechanisms -- crashworthiness testing -- CRASH–D program -- ECE Regulation 66 -- passenger survival space -- vehicle rollover -- vehicle safety -- vehicle design; Motor vehicles -- Design and construction -- Periodicals; 629.231
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-3369

Abstract

The CRASH–D program has been accepted as a method of type approval by calculation for the roll–over requirements of ECE Regulation 66. The Regulation specifies the amount of strain energy a coach should be capable of absorbing without intruding into a standard 'passenger survival space'. Data on local plastic hinge characteristics are supplied to CRASH–D and the program then calculates: the collapse mechanism of the structure and hence its mode of collapse; the collapse strength and force–displacement characteristics during collapse; the energy absorbed by the structure and hence its mode of collapse; the collapse strength and force–displacement characteristics during collapse; the energy absorbed by the structure at any point during collapse. The results show whether the structure has prevented intrusion into the 'survival space'. Examples are given of CRASH–D analyses on a coach bay structure and on various structural joints and sections. The program has been validated against full–size physical roll–over tests.