Title: Directional performance analysis of an A-train double with externally mounted dampers

Authors: D. Vazquez-Vega, S. Rakheja, A.K.W. Ahmed, A. Lozano-Guzman

Addresses: Mexican Institute of Transportation (IMT), Apartado Postal 1098, Queretaro, Qro. C.P. 76000, Mexico. CONCAVE Research Center, Concordia University, 1455 boul. de Maisonneuve ouest, Montreal, PQ., H3G 1M8, Canada. CONCAVE Research Center, Concordia University, 1455 boul. de Maisonneuve ouest, Montreal, PQ., H3G 1M8, Canada. Mexican Institute of Transportation (IMT), Apartado Postal 1098, Queretaro, Qro. C.P. 76000, Mexico.

Abstract: An A-dolly with externally mounted dampers is proposed to enhance the yaw and lateral directional performance of an A-train double. A kinematic analysis of the external dampers is performed to derive damping forces and moments imposed on the coupled A-dolly and the first semitrailer of the combination. The resulting kinematic model of the external dampers is integrated within the non-linear yaw-plane model of the A-train to study the performance potentials of the dampers. The directional response characteristics of the combination are evaluated under closed-loop path-change and double path-change manoeuvres, in conjunction with a path-follower driver-vehicle model based upon preview/predictive strategy. An analytical function based on the Magic Formula is further proposed to describe the path co-ordinates for the closed-loop manoeuvres. The results of the study show that damped articulation integrated between the first semitrailer and the A-dolly offers considerable potential for enhancement of the directional performance of the vehicle combination in terms of peak lateral acceleration, yaw rate, and rearward amplification.

Keywords: A-dolly; articulated vehicles; A-train double; damped articulation; directional manoeuvres; longer combination vehicle (LCV); path co-ordinates; rearward amplification.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2001.001158

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2001 Vol.8 No.2, pp.155-176

Published online: 01 Jul 2003 *

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