Title: Kineto-static roll plane analysis of articulated tank vehicles with arbitrary tank geometry

Authors: R. Ranganathan, S. Rakheja, S. Sankar

Addresses: Graduate Student, CONCAVE Research Centre, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. ' Research Assistant Professor, CONCAVE Research Centre, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. ' Professor and Director, CONCAVE Research Centre, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Abstract: The roll stability of an articulated tank vehicle with partial liquid load is discussed from the viewpoint of fundamental mechanics of vehicle response and quantitative influence of size and weight variables. A kineto-static roll plane model for a partially filled tank vehicle of arbitrary tank geometry is developed incorporating the moments and forces associated with liquid movement within the tank. A roll plane model for a partially filled tank of arbitrary shape is developed and integrated with the static roll plane model of the vehicle. The influence of liquid motion within the tank during a steady turning manoeuvre is investigated. The rollover immunity of the tank vehicle is investigated through computer simulation. The vertical and lateral translation of the fluid bulk during steady turning is computed using an iterative algorithm. The corresponding roll moments and forces arising due to liquid motion are incorporated into the static roll model to study the rollover immunity levels of liquid tank vehicles. The influence of tank geometry and liquid fill level on the rollover immunity of the tank vehicles is presented. The rollover threshold levels of the tank vehicle are compared to that of an equivalent rigid cargo vehicle for various loading conditions. The influence of compartmenting of the tank and the influence of the location of the trailer axles on the rollover immunity levels is studied and an optimal order of unloading the various compartments is determined.

Keywords: compartments; liquid load shift; rollover; tank geometry; articulated vehicles; tank vehicles; stability; kineto-static roll plane analysis; roll stability; partial liquid load; vehicle rollover; turning manoeuvres; road tankers; liquid motion.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1989.061565

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1989 Vol.10 No.1, pp.89 - 111

Published online: 26 May 2014 *

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