Title: Dynamic stability of heavy articulated vehicles

Authors: A.G. Nalecz, J. Genin

Addresses: Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA. ' Professor of Mechanical Engineering, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA

Abstract: This paper presents a review of available literature describing methods of modelling heavy truck behaviour. The review focuses on analytical work and related experiments that pertain to undesirable responses of commercial vehicles such as loss of control during braking, directional and roll instabilities, and amplified directional motions occurring with many-axled articulated trailers. A key to successful simulation of heavy truck behaviour is a mathematical model that includes the sensitive elements of the vehicle with sufficient flexibility to enable operational situations to be tested. Among the vehicle elements one can account for, pneumatic tyres appear to have a significant influence on the dynamic performance of heavy trucks. Recent advances in the modelling process include incorporating non-holonomic constraints in the formulation to supplement the knowledge of the dynamical properties of heavy vehicles in emergency manoeuvres.

Keywords: vehicle stability; articulated vehicles; commercial vehicles; tractor-trailer combination; trucks; vehicle dynamics; vehicle design; vehicle modelling; digital simulation; transport; heavy vehicles; emergency manoeuvres.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1984.061102

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1984 Vol.5 No.4, pp.417 - 426

Published online: 25 May 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article