Title: Effect of multi-axle steering on off-tracking and dynamic lateral response of articulated tractor-trailer combinations

Authors: Krishna Rangavajhula, H-S. Jacob Tsao

Addresses: Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, San Jose State University, One Washington Square, San Jose, CA 95192-0085, USA. ' Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, San Jose State University, One Washington Square, San Jose, CA 95192-0085, USA

Abstract: Multi-axle steering systems with a tractor and up to three full trailers are studied with linear yaw plane models to investigate the effect of additional steering on off-tracking phenomena during 90-degree turns and on the lateral responses during lane-change manoeuvres. The dependence of critical speed(s) for lateral stability on the location(s) of steered trailer axle(s) is studied via a linear stability analysis. Addition of non-steered trailer(s) reduces the stability. However, trailer steering results in a drastic reduction of high- and low-speed off-tracking, lateral forces, and yaw and slip velocities and in the concomitant increase in directional stability.

Keywords: longer combination vehicles; LCV; heavy trucks; off-tracking; trailer steering; lateral dynamics; lateral control; heavy vehicles; multi-axle steering; articulated tractor-trailers; critical speeds; lateral stability; yaw velocity; slip velocity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2007.015708

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2007 Vol.14 No.4, pp.376 - 401

Published online: 09 Nov 2007 *

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