The problems of designing bus and coach bodies are discussed. The matching of the body structure and chassis frame causes problems which have been largely overcome on an ad-hoc basis. Simple theoretical methods are suggested for estimating the stiffness in bending and torsion of the superstructure of composite buses. The formulae are checked against computer analyses and plastic models when possible. The proportion of load carried by the bodywork is estimated to find the stresses in critical members for any combined loading. Although further analysis and full-scale testing are required, preliminary design calculations for composite buses can be based on this method.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BrzoskaZ. ‘Basic problems in the statics of self-supporting vehicle bodies’, Archwim Budowy Maszin, Vol. 2, No. 4, 1955, Vol. 3, No. 1, 1956 (in Polish).
2.
MichelbergerP. ‘Die Untersuchung von Autobussen mit Bodenrahmen oder Fahrgestell auf Verdrehung’, Actina TeknicaVol. 35, 1961 (in German).
3.
MichelbergerP. ‘Wirkung der Turoffnungen auf das Kraftespiel der Omnibuskarosserien’, Periodica Polytechnica (Budapest)Vol. 6, No. 2, 1962 (in German).
4.
MichelbergerP. ‘Das Kraftespiel einer Infolge der turoffnung unsymmetrischen Omnibuskarosserie mit elastichen Quertragern’, Periodica Polytechnica (Budapest)Vol. 7, No. 3, 1963 (in German).
5.
ErzK. ‘Uber die durch Unbenheten der Fahrbahn hervorgerufene Verdrenung von Strassenfahrzeugen’, A. T. Z. No. 4; No. 6; No. 11; No. 12, 1957 (in German).
6.
PawlowskiJ.Vehicle Body Engineering, TidburyG. H. Ed. English Edition, Business Books, 1970.
7.
AlfredsonR. J. ‘The structural analysis of a stressed skin bus body’, The Journal of the Institution of Engineers, Australia, Vol. 39, No. 10–11, 1967.
8.
LewisR. ‘Structural analysis of an integral passenger coach by matrix force method’, A. S. A. E. Thesis, 1966.
9.
WardillG. A. ‘Small computer procedures as tools for structural designers’, Body Engineering Symposium, Cranfield, 1970.
10.
HochbergJ. ‘Stress analysis of bus bodies’, A. S. A. E. Thesis, 1967.
11.
MarshallP. H.RoachA. H.TidburyG. H. ‘Torsional stiffness of commercial vehicle chassis frames’, XII Congress International des Techniques de l'automobile, F. I. S. I. T. A., 1968.
12.
TidburyG. H. ‘Integral structures for P. S. V.'s’, Automotive Design Engineering, September, 1968.
