Title: Effect of the fifth-wheel placement on the stability of articulated vehicles

Authors: J. Wideberg; E. Dahlberg

Addresses: Transportation Engineering, Escuela Tecnica Superior de Ingenieros, Descubrimientos s/n 41092 Sevilla, Spain ' Scania, Sodertalje, Sweden

Abstract: Dynamic stability is crucial for vehicle safety, not least for heavy commercial vehicle safety. An articulated vehicle such as a tractor-semitrailer may if not correctly designed, handled or rebuilt fall into instability when driving. This is affected by several factors of which the geometric location of the fifth wheel is one. The effect on stability of the fifth wheel location along the longitudinal axis is therefore analysed using a simplified model and a more detailed MBS model. Results indicate that the tractor-semitrailer becomes unstable if the fifth wheel is located in a too far rearward position.

Keywords: vehicle dynamics; simulation; articulated heavy vehicles; fifth-wheel placement; vehicle stability; articulated vehicles; dynamic stability; vehicle safety; commercial vehicles; geometric location; tractor-semitrailer; wheel location.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2013.053009

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2013 Vol.20 No.2, pp.144 - 156

Published online: 30 Oct 2013 *

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