EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF A BUS COMPONENT IN COMPOSITE MATERIAL

In this work a bus component is experimentally and numerically analysed. The composite material of this component is obtained by the technique of pultrusion: the longitudinal reinforce is glass fibre, while the matrix is epoxy resin. At first, a static and fatigue characterization of the pultruded composite is performed to identify the mechanical behaviour along the fibres and in the transverse direction, following an extensive program of testing on specimens. During the fatigue tests, the elastic modulus and the residual strength are checked to characterize the internal damaging and to predict fatigue life. Fatigue bending tests are performed on the component, showing crack propagation through the section: a check at the SEM is performed to identify the main internal type of damaging. A final comparison with a numerical simulation is proposed: this numerical model will be useful for the optimal fatigue design of the section.