Finite Element Analysis and Validation of Bus Seat Structure as per AIS023: Safety Features Evaluation of Bus Seat using Hybrid III Dummy

Buses are always one of the main and favorite sources of public transit. Thousands of people die or injure every year in bus accidents. Bus seat can also cause severe injury to the occupants in case of frontal impact. Seat structure of the bus should absorb sufficient energy to minimize the passenger injury. Most of the occupants seated in the second row or further back were injured by hitting the seat back in the row in front of them. In India, AIS023 (Automotive Industry Standards) is one of the several mandatory standards from CMVR (Central Motor Vehicles Rules) to ensure the seat strength and occupant safety during accidents. This standard specifies minimum and maximum deformations range for the seat back to minimize the passenger injury with adequate seat strength.

Present study includes the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and correlation of bus seat as per AIS023 test setup with LS-Dyna explicit tool. Reasonable correlation was found between test and simulation results. This correlated Finite Element (FE) model then used to calculate the injury levels using 50^th percentile Hybrid III midsize male dummy.

Final results ensure the safety capability of the seat structure in front impact. This procedure was used to enhance safety in passenger bus seats.