Structural Integrity & Durability

There are six procedures that comprise this testing sequence. 

Distortion: The objective of this test is to observe the operation of various subsystems when the bus is placed in a longitudinal twist (simulating operation over a 6-inch curb or through a 6-in pothole) and subjected to a water spray mechanism simulating rain and traffic spray (read full test procedure).

Static Tow: The objective of this test is to determine the strength characteristics of the bus towing fixtures during static loading conditions (read full test procedure).

Dynamic Tow: The objective of this test is to verify the integrity of the towing fixtures and determine the feasibility of towing the bus using a heavy-duty wrecker and specified procedures (read full test procedure).

Jacking:  The objective of this test is to determine the damage caused by a deflated tire and to determine the feasibility of jacking the bus with a portable hydraulic jack to a height sufficient to replace a deflated tire (read full test procedure).

Hoisting: The objective of this test is to determine possible damage or deformation caused by the jack stands on the jacking pads (read full test procedure).

Durability: The objective of this test is to perform an accelerated durability test that approximates up to 25 percent of the service life of the vehicle (read full test procedure).