Finite Element Analysis of Bus Body Structures

Most of Automotive and Locomotive Industries lack the basic scientific methods like computer application to design and manufacture vehicle body structures in order to analyze static and dynamic loads effect. This work presents a finite element model of a city bus for both static and dynamic condition. Their effects are verified by using quarter car and half car multibody models. The basic finite element models are represented by a computer program with a graphic user interface using matlab environment. Designers and manufacturer¿s can observe the responses of these models on different condition. This work, therefore introduces the mathematical models using a concept of finite element method to introduce how advanced modeling and analysis tools can be used for design and manufacturing of city bus body structures. Both vehicle industries and academic sectors can use this work as a further reference.