Lightweight structures in bus body design have been highlighted. In this investigation a new typical medium-sized bus body structure has been modelled and analysed using the computer aided design (CAD) package UG and finite element (FE) solver ANSYS. This paper presents a comparative analysis of two body side structures: with and without structural supporting members between the longitudinal waist beams of the side frames. Firstly, analysis of structure strength and stiffness for low-order vibration modes was carried out, and the effects of different structures on strength, rigidity and material use efficiency were examined. Corresponding experimentation was carried out to validate the simulation results. Secondly, sensitivity studies and structural optimization were performed to reduce body weight without losing overall strength and rigidity. Geometric parameters, including cross-sectional parameters and wall thickness, of large structural members are considered in the optimization. The results of the research provide a means of structural design optimization with consideration of bus body weight reduction.

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