Optimization methodology for beam gauges of the bus body for weight reduction
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Date issued
2014
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of West Bohemia
Abstract
During service, a bus is subjected to various loads that cause stresses, vibrations and noise in the different components of its structure. It requires appropriate strength, stiffness and fatigue properties of the components to be able
to stand these loads. Besides, quality and optimum weight of the vehicle, for efficient energy consumption, safety
and provision of the comfort to the user are highly desired. The present work proposes a methodology to minimize
the bus weight by modifying its beam gauges to optimum thickness. The bus performance is evaluated by multiple
iterations on the basis of parameters like frequency, distortion, stress and stiffness. The algorithm performs gauge
optimization of the bus by analyzing and satisfying its structural strength through linear static analysis on a laden
bus. It also performs structural stiffness analysis and vibration analysis for safety of the bus structure. This work
unfolds an integrated methodology to the bus manufacturers to optimize the structural weight for improving the
fuel efficiency, static and dynamic safety, and robust design. The work is implemented by creating a finite element
model of the bus and optimizing in HyperWorks environment. The results are verified for a full length 11 m, 65 seats bus. The methodology helps in weight reduction along with improvement in performance parameters.
Description
Subject(s)
autobusy, optimalizace úchylkoměrů, redukce váhy, lineární statická analýza, vibrační analýza
Citation
Applied and Computational Mechanics. 2014, vol. 8, no. 1, p. 47-62.