Title: Influence of tank cross-section and road adhesion on dynamic response of partly-filled tank trucks under braking-in-a-turn

Authors: S. Rakheja, I. Stiharu, X. Kang, J.A. Romero

Addresses: CONCAVE Research Center, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1M8, Canada. CONCAVE Research Center, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1M8, Canada. CONCAVE Research Center, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1M8, Canada.Mexican Transport Institute, Querétaro, México.

Abstract: Dynamic response and stability characteristics of a partly filled articulated liquid cargo vehicle with tanks of arbitrary cross-section are investigated under braking-in-a-turn manoeuvre. Tanks with circular, modified-oval and arbitrary cross-sections are considered for deriving the longitudinal and lateral cargo shifts under longitudinal as well as lateral acceleration fields. The three-dimensional quasi-static model of the partly filled tanks is integrated to the dynamic model of the vehicle to study the role of tank geometry and road adhesion on the dynamic behaviour of the partly filled liquid cargo vehicle. The directional dynamic characteristics under a braking-in-a-turn manoeuvre are evaluated in terms of moments induced by the moving cargo, wheel dynamic load factor, load transfer ratio, yaw and roll response, and braking performance of the vehicle. The results of the study reveal that dynamic performance of the partly filled liquid cargo vehicle deteriorates significantly due to considerable magnitudes of roll, pitch and yaw moments imposed by the moving cargo. A partly filled articulated tank vehicle, subject to braking-in-a-turn, is more susceptible to rollover on dry roads, while it exhibits a higher propensity of trailer swing on slippery roads. The results further indicate that tank cross-section yields certain influence on the dynamic characteristics of the partly filled articulated liquid cargo vehicle under braking-in-a-turn.

Keywords: braking-in-a-turn; directional dynamics and stability; load shift analysis; modelling and simulation; partly-filled liquid cargo vehicle dynamics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2002.001177

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2002 Vol.9 No.3, pp.223-240

Published online: 01 Jul 2003 *

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