Evaluation of Vehicle Fuel Tank Impact Resistance

: Automotive components are subject to testing and should meet standards set by regulatory authorities according to the type of vehicle. Using ANSYS V14.5 software, an impact simulation, on a fuel tank, is simulated and analyzed. The analysis is based on a recent bus accident that occurred on NH 44 near Palem Village, in Mahaboobnagar District, Andhra Pradesh, India, in which a bus crashed into a road culvert and burst into flames within seconds. It is widely believed that if the fuel tank and floor had not ruptured, the accident would have been less catastrophic. Simulation of the impact test procedure is done and evaluated against the real life event and occurrence. In this paper the impact will be simulated to investigate possible measures that can be taken to avoid any future accidents of this type.