Title: Lateral stability of articulated buses

Authors: F. Vlk

Addresses: Department of Automobile Engineering, Technical University of Brno, Czechoslovakia

Abstract: For research on the directional dynamics of articulated buses an appropriate three-dimensional nonlinear mathematical model has been developed. In the process of digital simulation attention has been centred predominantly upon the so-called pusher concept with the rear non-steered trailing axle powered by a rear engine. The directional stability of an articulated pusher bus is lower than that of a conventional articulated bus, and possibly also of an articulated bus with a rear engine powering the middle axle. The calculation results show clearly that articulated buses of the pusher type should be provided with additional damping between the front and the rear section. During turns on slippery roads a risk of jackknifing of an articulated pusher bus occurs. Well adapted safety devices can eliminate jackknifing, and possibly also trailing swing during acceleration or braking in a turn.

Keywords: vehicle dynamics; directional stability; digital simulation; jackknifing; trailing swing; snaking; acceleration; braking; lateral stability; articulated buses; vehicle design; mathematical modelling; bus dynamics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1988.061505

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1988 Vol.9 No.1, pp.35 - 51

Published online: 26 May 2014 *

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