THE EFFECT AND MODELLING OF 'FINITE STIFFNESS HINGES' IN THE COLLAPSE ANALYSIS OF ROLL-OVER SAFETY RINGS IN BUSES AND COACHES

The paper discusses the effect of 'finite stiffness hinges' on the energy–absorbing capacity of a bus body structure subject to the type of approval procedure according to the new ECE Regulation 66 on roll–over safety. Modelling aspects of the same effect in the finite element analysis of the collapsing ring have also been presented and illustrated by comparative tests on components and portal frames.