Analysis and Improvement of the Rollover Crashworthiness for Locally Built Isuzu Bus Using FEM

Abstract

Bus is the most popular and favourite road transport user’s way and has an important role for transporting people, goods and property, short and long distances all around the world. The number of buses in Ethiopia is growing significantly every year to meet the needs of passengers. In Ethiopia passengers are usually use Isuzu bus for traveling because of its availability and economically inexpensive. Isuzu buses are manufactured in Ethiopian local garages from Isuzu open back trucks. Bus rollover crashes have been claimed many lives, cause much property loss and injured more victims in Ethiopia. The infrequent rollover crash incidence when compared to other crash types like complete frontal and side crash has lessened the severity caused in rollover. There are no standards which enforce the built-up process of locally made Isuzu buses, and each Isuzu bus garage uses different dimensions, sizes and materials according to the owner’s requisite. In a rollover accident, deformation, buckling, and breakage of Isuzu bus structures threaten the lives of passengers. Isuzu bus manufacturers are responsible to design and model a superstructure with a strong structure to absorb sufficient load and rollover safety. The Economic Commission for Europe (ECE R66) are the law on bus safety and security is necessary to prevent bus rollover. This thesis work focuses on Analysis and Improvement of the Rollover Crashworthiness for Locally Built Isuzu Bus are expected to increase safety of the passenger which uses Isuzu bus locally called Isuzu “Kitkit” for daily activities. By modelling the Isuzu bus using CATIA, performing rollover test on the bus model using LS DYNA software, identifying the critical zones crash on the bus to modify the identified critical crash zone of the bus, and test the effect of the modified bus for better rollover crashworthiness. From the result obtained 9.86% of energy absorption has improved, 29.2% impact force have reduced, and 34.5% intrusions of bus superstructure to the passenger compartment have been improved from existing Isuzu bus by the modification made. The analysis of Isuzu bus FE simulation regarding ECE Regulation number 66 gives very fruitful results as experimental full scale rollover test.Bus Is The Most Popular And Favourite Road Transport User?�?S Way And Has An Important Role For Transporting People, Goods And Property, Short And Long Distances All Around The World. The Number Of Buses In Ethiopia Is Growing Significantly Every Year To Meet The Needs Of Passengers. In Ethiopia Passengers Are Usually Use Isuzu Bus For Traveling Because Of Its Availability And Economically Inexpensive. Isuzu Buses Are Manufactured In Ethiopian Local Garages From Isuzu Open Back Trucks. Bus Rollover Crashes Have Been Claimed Many Lives, Cause Much Property Loss And Injured More Victims In Ethiopia. The Infrequent Rollover Crash Incidence When Compared To Other Crash Types Like Complete Frontal And Side Crash Has Lessened The Severity Caused In Rollover. There Are No Standards Which Enforce The Built-Up Process Of Locally Made Isuzu Buses, And Each Isuzu Bus Garage Uses Different Dimensions, Sizes And Materials According To The Owner?�?S Requisite. In A Rollover Accident, Deformation, Buckling, And Breakage Of Isuzu Bus Structures Threaten The Lives Of Passengers. Isuzu Bus Manufacturers Are Responsible To Design And Model A Superstructure With A Strong Structure To Absorb Sufficient Load And Rollover Safety. The Economic Commission For Europe (Ece R66) Are The Law On Bus Safety And Security Is Necessary To Prevent Bus Rollover. This Thesis Work Focuses On Analysis And Improvement Of The Rollover Crashworthiness For Locally Built Isuzu Bus Are Expected To Increase Safety Of The Passenger Which Uses Isuzu Bus Locally Called Isuzu ?�?Kitkit?�? For Daily Activities. By Modelling The Isuzu Bus Using Catia, Performing Rollover Test On The Bus Model Using Ls Dyna Software, Identifying The Critical Zones Crash On The Bus To Modify The Identified Critical Crash Zone Of The Bus, And Test The Effect Of The Modified Bus For Better Rollover Crashworthiness. From The Result Obtained 9.86% Of Energy Absorption Has Improved, 29.2% Impact Force Have Reduced, And 34.5% Intrusions Of Bus Superstructure To The Passenger Compartment Have Been Improved From Existing Isuzu Bus By The Modification Made. The Analysis Of Isuzu Bus Fe Simulation Regarding Ece Regulation Number 66 Gives Very Fruitful Results As Experimental Full Scale Rollover Test.