FEA analysis and optical measurement of city bus composite floor structure

Polymer composites have various application in automotive industry. Achieving vehicle efficiency in public transportation, among other goals, is often done by lightweight materials like fibre reinforced plastics as structural elements of the vehicle. A concept solution for a V shaped structural floor element of a city bus is proposed in this paper. CAD model of floor structural element has been designed from which, in later phases, construction of complete composite floor will be optimized and designed. Test sample made of hybrid (carbon and glass) fibre composite was produced and tested under the flexural load for comparison with a FEA model. Test sample displacement was measured using a GOM Tritop optical measurement system. Comparison showed that difference between real measurement and FEA for maximal displacement is only 11.7%.