Welding Joint Quality Simulation of Bus Frame Using Finite Element Method

Many parts of the bus frame were connected by joint welding. These welded joints must be strong enough to ensure the safety of passengers when the bus overturns during an accident. To ensure the strength of this welded joint, it is necessary to test the joint. Testing can be done by experimenting directly on the connection or it can also be done by simulation using commercial software. Tests carried out must refer to standards that have been recognized by the international community. In this paper, a simulation will be conducted to test the strength of welded joints using the finite element method concerning the UN-ECE R66 standard. The tests carried out on the bus frame are located at 3 points, namely: the frame, wall frame, and bus roof frame. In the experiment, the object is given a force in the direction of a certain axis for a determined period until the object or object is deformed until a fracture occurs. The maximum stress value obtained at the stress point is used as data for the feasibility of the bus roll test to operate. Tests were carried out experimentally and by simulation using the finite element method. The test result shows that the fracture did not occur at the welded joint both for experimental and simulation. It means that the welded joint is strong enough when the bus overturns during the accident