Title: Effect of tank shape on roll dynamic response of an articulated vehicle carrying liquids

Authors: S. Azadi; A. Jafari; M. Samadian

Addresses: Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Khaje Nasir University of Technology, Mollasadra Ave., Vanak Sq., Tehran 1999143344, Iran ' Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Khaje Nasir University of Technology, Mollasadra Ave., Vanak Sq., Tehran 1999143344, Iran ' Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Khaje Nasir University of Technology, Mollasadra Ave., Vanak Sq., Tehran 1999143344, Iran

Abstract: In this paper the directional response and roll stability characteristics of a partly filled tractor semi-trailer vehicle, with different tank shapes, under different parameters and conditions are investigated. The effective parameters and conditions in the stability of a tractor semi-trailer carrying liquid can be considered as tank shape, fill volume and vehicle steering input. The dynamic interaction of liquid cargo with the tractor semi-trailer vehicle is evaluated by integrating a dynamic slosh model of the partly filled tank with five-degrees-of-freedom of a tractor semi-trailer tank. The vehicle model is analysed for the different tank cross-sections, circular, modified-oval and reuleaux triangle. The dynamic fluid slosh within the tank is modelled using three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations, coupled with the volume-of-fluid equations and analysed by using the FLUENT software. The coupled tank-vehicle model is subsequently analysed to determine the roll stability characteristics for different cross-sections of tank, fill volumes and manoeuvres.

Keywords: liquid sloshing; tractor semi-trailers; vehicle dynamics; VOF; volume of fluid; solid-fluid interaction; tank shapes directional response; roll stability; articulated vehicles; liquids; fill volume; vehicle steering; dynamic modelling; slosh modelling; vehicle modelling; Navier-Stokes equations; CFD; computational fluid dynamics; vehicle manoeuvres.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2014.066078

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2014 Vol.21 No.3, pp.221 - 240

Published online: 30 Apr 2015 *

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