Title: Tyre inflation pressure effects on the transient handling performance of a multipurpose protected vehicle

Authors: Manuel Tentarelli; Alessio Pizzi

Addresses: "Enzo Ferrari" Department of Engineering, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Pietro Vivarelli, 10, Modena, Italy ' Army Test Multifunctional Centre, via Montelibrettese km 2,5, Montelibretti, Rome, 00010, Italy

Abstract: One of the main requirements for military vehicles is the capability to move over all types of terrain. For this purpose, many military vehicles allow the driver to change tyre inflation pressure to improve the mobility over soft soils. Although various studies have investigated the effect of the inflation pressure on the interaction between tyre and soil, to date there has not been an adequate analysis of the effects of the lateral vehicle dynamics on the road. A multipurpose protected vehicle (MPV) was instrumented and tested with a campaign of sweep steer tests at different tyre inflation pressures; experimental data were analysed in order to evaluate modifications on lateral handling performance. Although our tests did not show any compromise in directional stability, MPV dynamics on the road were found to be globally degraded by reducing tyre inflation pressure.

Keywords: military vehicles; MPV; multipurpose protected vehicles; vehicle dynamics; tyre inflation pressure; transient handling performance; directional stability; roll angle; sweep steer test; personnel safety; driver training.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVSMT.2021.122816

International Journal of Vehicle Systems Modelling and Testing, 2021 Vol.15 No.4, pp.205 - 221

Received: 13 May 2020
Accepted: 02 Jul 2020
Published online: 13 May 2022 *

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