Title: Estimation of the rollover threshold of heavy vehicles carrying liquid cargo: a simplified approach

Authors: S. Rakheja, R. Ranganathan

Addresses: CONCAVE Research Centre, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West, Montreal, P.Q. H3G 1M8, Canada. ' Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Missouri - Columbia, MO 65211, USA

Abstract: A simple methodology is proposed to estimate the rollover threshold of partially filled liquid cargo vehicles. The primary overturning moment caused by the lateral motion of the liquid cargo within the circular, elliptic or modified-oval cross-section tanks is derived as a function of the lateral acceleration, roll angle, fill level, and the tank geometry. The rollover threshold is estimated using two different methods. In the first method, the rollover threshold is estimated by balancing the total overturning and restoring moments using a single roll degree-of-freedom (DOF) model of the rigidly suspended tank vehicle. The compliant properties of the tyres and suspension are incorporated in the analysis through a compliance factor. The roll moments arising from the multiple-axle suspension and tyres, individual axle loads, and lateral displacement are computed and integrated in the analysis in the second method. The rollover threshold of a tractor-tank-semitrailer is estimated using both methods for different fill levels. The estimated values of rollover threshold are compared to those obtained from a comprehensive kineto-static roll plane model of the tank vehicle. The results show that the proposed simplified methods can provide an accurate estimation of rollover threshold for constant as well as varying payloads.

Keywords: heavy vehicles; liquid cargoes; mathematical modelling; rollover threshold.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.1993.054646

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 1993 Vol.1 No.1, pp.79 - 98

Published online: 18 Jun 2013 *

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