Strength of the semitrailer’s roof in the aspect of road traffic safety
Stable and slidable roofs of the semitrailers are usually characterized by low weight and easy handling, which equals directly into comfort of use, longevity of the system and the time needed to open or close. However, not always an operational advantages of roofs go hand in hand with their durability, especially in the snowfall situation or sudden changes of the road lane by a set of vehicles: a truck tractor – a semitrailer. The analysis of homologation regulations shows that today there are no precise requirements and physical testing / strength methods for assembled roofs of the semitrailers as components. The test methods for complete vehicle bodies (including the roof), which have destructive nature, are described in European standards, e.g. EN 12642:2017 "Securing of cargo on road vehicles – Body structure of commercial vehicles – Minimum requirements" [6], internal German regulations, e.g. VDI 2700:2004 "Securing of loads on road vehicles" [8] or Directive DCE 9.5:2008 ”Load security for transportation of load containers on utility vehicles in road traffic” [7]. A non-destructive, possible to perform, testing method for the roof as a component - is calculation method. The results of the performed tests allow to conduct development works over improving the vehicle’s system security (including the introduction of new semitrailers roofs design solutions and verification of existing ones). The carried out strength tests give possibilities to optimize and adapt the roofs to the transported loads, e.g. stable lifting roofs used in transport of divisible loads, or sliding roofs used in the transport of non-separate loads. The strength testing of the semitrailer’s roofs is highly justified from the point of view of securing the load and safety of passengers, drivers and other road users primarily. The requirements and limitations of the mentioned testing methods are not - in the authors opinion - 100% of realistic and possible deformation during the real vehicle’s road traffic. On the other hand, the cited documents exists as recognized regulators in the international arena of the road traffic legislation. The work’s aim is demonstrating the benefits of using reinforced roofs in all types of the semitrailer’s bodyworks.