Title: A multibody dynamics model to assess the impact of road unevenness on the efficiency of a semitrailer truck

Authors: Louis Gagnon; Marc J. Richard; Guy Doré

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Laval University, Pavillon Adrien-Pouliot, local 1504, 1065 avenue de la medicine, Québec (Qc) G1V 0A6, Canada ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Laval University, Pavillon Adrien-Pouliot, local 1504, 1065 avenue de la medicine, Québec (Qc) G1V 0A6, Canada ' Department of Civil Engineering, Laval University, Pavillon Adrien-Pouliot, local 1916, 1065 avenue de la medicine, Québec (Qc) G1V 0A6, Canada

Abstract: An open source multibody model of a semi-trailer truck with 331 degrees of freedom was built and within it a dynamic tyre model has been implemented. The truck model was calibrated and validated by an on-road experimental campaign of coastdown tests. The signal from a photodetector and ten accelerometers, the weight distribution, meteorological data, and the longitudinal profile have been collected. The purpose of the model is to obtain the relationships between the longitudinal road profile and fuel consumption, vehicle wear, passenger health, and safety. A subsequent study demonstrated the capacity of the model to fulfil its purpose.

Keywords: multibody dynamics; tractor semitrailers; experimental coastdown tests; energy losses; model calibration; road roughness; longitudinal profile; rigid ring tyre models; dynamic modelling; road unevenness; semitrailer trucks; road profile; fuel consumption; vehicle wear; passenger health; vehicle safety; heavy vehicles.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVSMT.2015.067519

International Journal of Vehicle Systems Modelling and Testing, 2015 Vol.10 No.1, pp.1 - 28

Received: 03 Sep 2013
Accepted: 21 Dec 2013
Published online: 18 Mar 2015 *

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