Title: Field testing and validation of directional dynamics model of a tank truck

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

Addresses: Associate 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. ' Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering & Aerospace, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO. USA

Abstract: A two-axle vehicle, equipped with a semi-transparent cylindrical tank, is fabricated and instrumented to determine the dynamics of sloshing cargo and its effects on directional response of the vehicle. The directional dynamics of a partially filled tank truck is investigated via computer simulation of a three-dimensional vehicle model incorporating a quasi-dynamic roll plane model of the tank. Field tests are performed for typical lane change and turning manoeuvres, and the corresponding directional response data are compared to the computer simulation results to validate the analytical model. The study concludes that the results obtained from the analytical vehicle model, incorporating quasi-dynamic fluid analysis, correlate well with the field measured data for different fill levels, vehicle speeds, and directional manoeuvres. Motion of the fluid-free surface and the corresponding lateral load transfer, attained via computer simulation, are further compared to those established from the field measured data to conclude that a quasi-dynamic analytical model can accurately predict the fluid slosh loads.

Keywords: liquid slosh; road testing; roll stability; tank trucks; vehicle dynamics; validation; dynamic modelling; sloshing cargo; directional response; vehicle modelling; simulation; lane change manoeuvres; turning manoeuvres; fill levels; vehicle speed; fluid slosh loads.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1992.061727

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1992 Vol.13 No.3, pp.251 - 275

Published online: 27 May 2014 *

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