Title: Nonlinear ride analysis of heavy vehicle using local equivalent linearization technique

Authors: A. Dhir, S. Sankar, R.B. Bhat

Addresses: Graduate Student, CONCAVE Research Centre, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. ' Professor and Director, CONCAVE Research Centre, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. ' Professor, CONCAVE Research Centre, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Abstract: A multi-degree-of-freedom ride model of a typical tractor-semitrailer configuration comprising of nonlinear suspension damping mechanisms is developed. A local equivalent linearisation technique based on energy balance is employed to obtain the ride response of the nonlinear vehicle model. The critical behaviour of vehicle suspension(s) lock-up due to high magnitude of Coulomb (dry) friction is modelled and incorporated in the analytical technique such that the nonlinear behaviour of the system can be effectively simulated by the equivalent linear system. The effectiveness of local equivalent linearisation technique is demonstrated by comparing it with respect to conventional numerical integration and statistical linearisation techniques. A comprehensive parametric study is performed to investigate the influence of vehicle suspension characteristics, vehicle geometry, speed, highway profile and trailer loading patterns.

Keywords: acoustics; analytical modelling; Coulomb friction force; local equivalent linearisation; orifice-type damping; vehicle ride; vehicle vibration; viscous constant; heavy vehicles; simulation; tractor-semitrailers; nonlinear suspension damping; energy balance; ride response; vehicle modelling; vehicle suspension; vehicle geometry; vehicle speed; highway profile; trailer loading; vehicle design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1992.061749

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1992 Vol.13 No.5/6, pp.580 - 606

Published online: 27 May 2014 *

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