The paper reviews the experience with calculation in the development and Type Approval of coach structures according to the ECE Regulation 66 on rollover safety. The five main application areas considered are structural development, Type Approval based on component tests and calculation of the safety structure, identification of the `worst cases' and `representative bays' for Approval and assessment of similarity when considering extensions of existing Approvals. Ability to predict beam collapse properties and optimise sections is also presented as a major development aid. Various quasi-static, `quasi-dynamic' and full dynamic simulation approaches are also discussed and illustrated by practical examples. All the results are extensively supported by experimental evidence. Calculation-related interpretation of the Regulation 66 in the UK is summarised. Finally, the paper reviews the options of achieving weight efficient designs by combining the calculations for rollover safety and normal service loading conditions. (A)
Abstract