Beam and Torsion tests in Victoria

[Zedn]

The beaming and torsion test is described in VSB14. If you call a test facility and ask for a price on the test it will be a lot. I was quoted $1800 for the test to be done before i found out the manufacturer has already done it. If they wont accept the test from the manufacturer, make your own jig, buy/borrow some gauges and pay your engineer to observe you doing the test. Contact Suthol on here, he has done it on his scratch built clubby chassis.

It would be logical that they should accept a declaration from your manufacturer that your chassis is identical to the one tested.

[aussiecoupe]

Yes Vic Roads has asked for more info to be supplied by the engineers . This is being arranged as we speak . First a letter to state the chassis supplied was the same as the one tested 11 years ago , that was ok for a number of kits to pass . There has been also some differance of opion between the engineers . If they stop moving the goal posts we will be better of .
I am waiting for the return fo my engineer for new copies of the reports to forward on .
Warwick.

[stumpeater]

Thanks Warwick, Hey Sambo! I am sure Mr Vicroads would love to have a ride in your car under hard acceleration, then if he heard a chirp from the tyres on a gear change he would be able to book you, for being a "Hoon" and then confiscate your car!

[suthol]

Originally Posted by Zedn

The beaming and torsion test is described in VSB14. If you call a test facility and ask for a price on the test it will be a lot. I was quoted $1800 for the test to be done before i found out the manufacturer has already done it. If they wont accept the test from the manufacturer, make your own jig, buy/borrow some gauges and pay your engineer to observe you doing the test. Contact Suthol on here, he has done it on his scratch built clubby chassis.

It would be logical that they should accept a declaration from your manufacturer that your chassis is identical to the one tested.

Liam,

Whoever quoted you $1800 saw an easy buck coming, my test cost $450 + GST.

Having said that I did have the car set up on the jig ready to go along with about 200Kg of steel shot in 20Kg bags and another 200Kg of barbell weights so there was no time wasting.

There was the best part of a day in setup because of trail and error but I will do it quicker next time, obviously if you use the engineers jig and premises he will spend a lot of time ( your money ) setting it up.

Here's a link to some pics of mine on the jig Daves Beam and Torsion Test ( the Datto 1200 ute had 347 RWKw before the current turbo upgrade that's still in progress )

[stumpeater]

Good news, I got a call today from my engineer and he had just received the more comprehensive test results. He reckons they should do the trick, let's hope VicRoads agree.

[Zedn]

Dave that was Peter Smith quote. Thats why i was asking you about the rig you used at the time. Luckily RCM have already had the test done to VSB14.

I have heard similar prices around the $1500 mark. It sounds a lot, but when you consider the time it takes for them to make up something to adapt the hubs and get it all set up, carry out the test and then write a report, all at engineer rates its about right.

[stumpeater]

Originally Posted by suthol

Liam,

Here's a link to some pics of mine on the jig Daves Beam and Torsion Test ( the Datto 1200 ute had 347 RWKw before the current turbo upgrade that's still in progress )

Hey Suthol, thanks for putting up those pictures, I was wondering how it was all set up. Is the "beam" test separate from the "torsion" test, or is it the same thing? I can see from the jig setup you are applying torsion to the chassis, but what is the beam part? Thanks Peter.

[Zedn]

The Beaming part is done on the same jig but with the front steal beam locked so it cant rotate. They load up the seat locations and measure the deflection in the chassis by mounting dial gauges at intervals along the chassis.

[suthol]

Originally Posted by Zedn

The Beaming part is done on the same jig but with the front steal beam locked so it cant rotate. They load up the seat locations and measure the deflection in the chassis by mounting dial gauges at intervals along the chassis.

Below taken from my report, the beaming deflection was 0.31mm.
Not too shabby for 25x25x1.6 mild steel tubing

Objective
To test the ICV Clubman chassis constructed by Dave King in accordance with the prescribed beaming test to determine its structural adequacy.
Methodology
The Methodology set out in the National Code of Practice for Light Vehicle Modification and Construction
has been utilised.
The vehicle’s suspension was made inextensible by replacing the springs and dampers with rigid rods.
The vehicle was then supported on axle stands under the axles.
A set of 10 dial indicators were installed on RHS members clamped to the chassis five each side
between the axles.
The following table shows the longitudinal and transverse positions of the gauges.
Position
Longitudinal
Position Separation
F -70 700
1 785 1150
2 1340 1270
3 2145 1270
R 2380 1500
Table 1 Gauge Positions
All gauges were read and the measurements recorded.
The vehicle was then loaded with a total of 272 Kg applied at the seating positions.
Each gauge was read and the results recorded.
The load was removed and the results again recorded to determine if any plastic deformation had resulted from the loading.

[sevenohms]

Originally Posted by Zedn

The beaming and torsion test is described in VSB14. If you call a test facility and ask for a price on the test it will be a lot. I was quoted $1800 for the test to be done before i found out the manufacturer has already done it. If they wont accept the test from the manufacturer, make your own jig, buy/borrow some gauges and pay your engineer to observe you doing the test. Contact Suthol on here, he has done it on his scratch built clubby chassis.

It would be logical that they should accept a declaration from your manufacturer that your chassis is identical to the one tested.

Due to the constructor of my chassis I'm in the process of completing my jig at the moment. It's pretty easy to make, easy to do at home. But I'm finding it harder than I thought to pass!