A verification study was carried out by performing virtual analysis studies of
the 1005/2010 (Document 02019R2144-20220905/COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION
(EU) 2021/535) standard applied to M and N class vehicles as required by the
regulation.
In this context, material tensile tests, three-point bending tests, and, finally,
torso tests were performed. Material parameters were obtained with the data
obtained from the physical material tensile tests. This material data was used
as input for finite element analysis. With the three-point bending test, the
deformation of the profiles against the force was measured and the weld areas
were examined. The results obtained were compared with the three-point bending
finite element analysis results. Since the outputs of the tests and finite
element analysis were consistent, the torso test and finite element analysis
were started.
In the physical torso test, the regulation states that each towing device
installed on the vehicle must be able to withstand a static force in tension and
compression equivalent to at least half of the maximum technically permissible
loaded mass of the vehicle. Under these conditions, compression and tension
loads were applied to the towing device in the vehicle axis. During the test,
force–displacement data were recorded with a load cell on the piston applying
the load. The exact loading conditions were applied in torso finite element
analysis, and the analysis results were compared with the test results.
As a result of the comparison, it was seen that it remained within approximately
5% error rate and met the accreditation requirements. Since the accreditation
certificate is obtained in future designs, physical tests are prevented, and
type approval certificates can be obtained with finite element analysis. In this
way, time and cost losses have been reduced.