Structural response of paratransit buses in rollover accidents

Abstract

Existing crashworthiness standards in the United States are focused primarily on passenger cars and school buses, while paratransit buses are not required to meet these codes. The main objective of this research was to develop a finite element (FE) model of the Champion Challenger paratransit bus in order to perform the crashworthiness evaluation during the rollover test using computational mechanics. The FE model was developed based on technical description and AutoCAD files of the bus structure supplied by Champion, the producer of the Challenger bus. In the absence of U.S. crashworthiness standards applicable to paratransit buses, the FE model of Champion Challenger bus was used for computational mechanics study of the rollover test according to ECE Regulation 66. All numerical analyses were carried out using LS-DYNA, a nonlinear, explicit code. Experimental validation of assumed material models, mesh density, and contact definition was performed through a simple pendulum impact test of the bus sidewall panels [1].