Title: Experimental study on sloshing and non-sloshing road cargoes dynamics

Authors: J.A. Romero, M.R. Martinez, E. Betanzo

Addresses: Faculty of Engineering, University of Queretaro, Rio Moctezuma 249, San Juan del Rio, Queretaro 76800, Mexico. ' Faculty of Engineering, University of Queretaro, Rio Moctezuma 249, San Juan del Rio, Queretaro 76800, Mexico. ' Faculty of Engineering, University of Queretaro, Rio Moctezuma 249, San Juan del Rio, Queretaro 76800, Mexico

Abstract: This paper summarises the findings of an experimental investigation aimed at comparative evaluation of the modal response and rollover trends in sloshing and non-sloshing cargo vehicles, as a function of the fill level. A key point in the applied methodology is that cargoes present similar properties concerning their mass density and static position of the centre of gravity of the sprung tank. Differences in modal responses between both cargoes are particularly strong for the combination of the roll motion and low fill levels. However, such differences become negligible when high fill levels are considered. Average values of the lateral load transfer indicate that for high fill levels, the non-sloshing cargo transfers the greatest loads (42% more), in opposition of what is observed in the case of low fill levels, with the sloshing cargo transferring 19% more load. Such greater load transfer due to non-sloshing cargo is attributed to the dynamic damping provided by the sloshing cargo at high fill levels.

Keywords: tank trucks; road tankers; fluid sloshing; sloshing forces; sloshing moments; experimental approach; heavy vehicles; vehicle rollover; fill levels; modal response; roll motion; lateral load transfer; cargo dynamics; vehicle safety.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2010.035992

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2010 Vol.17 No.3/4, pp.301 - 330

Published online: 11 Oct 2010 *

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