CRASH SIMULATION
Serious accidents involving trucks in industrial activities are common and can cause injury and even death to operators. In order to minimize the occurrence of accidents and their consequences, Kot carries out detailed studies of trucks and excavators cabins, and other equipment to verify their suitability to resist a possible rollover situation, minimizing the risks to the operator.
In addition, with the obtained results, ROPS (Roll Over Protective Structure) and FOPS (Falling Objects Protective Structure) projects are elaborated according to standards, aiming to increase the resistance of the structure and to increase safety for operators, in a possible vehicle rollover situation or falling objects such as trees and falliing rocks.
CASE
NONLINEAR CRASH ANALYSIS
The development of a study, verifying the safety levels of a truck’s cabin, required the modeling of the structure and the application of impact loads, according to standards. FEMAP and LS-DYNA softwares were used for the analysis.
The study’s goal was to increase the safety level of the truck cabin, offering greater operator protection. The 3D model was compiled and simulations were made to replicate the crash tests performed by the manufacturer. The loads, determined according to Swedish standard VVFS 2003: 29, were applied and the structure checked to comply with deformation and energy requirements.
In order to maximize operator safety a Roll Over Protective Structure (ROPS) was designed internal to the original cabin. It was designed to have a reduced number of components so that it could be light, simple to manufacture and easy to assemble in the existing cabin.
