GMC Fiberglass Truck Door

A new fiberglass door was designed to replace steel doors on GMC heavy duty trucks as a quality improvement while reducing cost and weight. A feasibility study led to the selection of SMC for the door material. The new design incorporated unique design features and innovative materials applications. Finite element analysis was used to determine optimum material distribution for reducing stress and weight and for increasing stiffness. A test program was conducted which verified the design criteria and objectives were met.