TRUCK CABIN OPTIMIZATION DUE TO INCREASED AXLE LOAD REGULATION, USING VIRTUAL ANALYSIS TOOL

Commercial vehicles are least considered for the occupant safety, even if the norms are in place. It's because of the fewer occupants in cabin. Although truck occupants are the most effected people as far as the accidents figures are concerned. AIS029 talks about occupant safety in commercial vehicles as well and the norms derived from the vehicle GVW and axle weights. Although with new axle weight and GVW norms in force existing vehicles and available designs needs to be relooked. In this paper we have studied the effect of the increased axle load norm on current designed cabins and evaluated the updation in current design with least modification in design, so that existing cabins can be carried forward. At the same time customers can also get their vehicles updated with the small modifications to meet the safety norms. Paper majorly focuses on 3 aspects of crash test i.e. frontal impact test, roof test and rear impact test. Same has been performed virtually with the manikin placed in the virtual model. Clearances after impact have been evaluated before and after modification. Outcome of the paper will give ease to the OEMs to follow the approach, helping them to save the huge cost involved in making new design and tooling.