Title: A new methology for predicting the rollover limit of buses

Authors: V. Diaz, M.G. Fernandez, J.L.S. Roman, M. Ramirez, A.Garcia

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, E.P.S. Carlos III of Madrid University, Avenida de la Universidad, No. 30, Leganes 28911, Madrid, Spain. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, E.P.S. Carlos III of Madrid University, Avenida de la Universidad, No. 30, Leganes 28911, Madrid, Spain. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, E.P.S. Carlos III of Madrid University, Avenida de la Universidad, No. 30, Leganes 28911, Madrid, Spain. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, E.P.S. Carlos III of Madrid University, Avenida de la Universidad, No. 30, Leganes 28911, Madrid, Spain. ' INSIA-UPM (University Institute for Automobile Research-Polytechnic, University of Madrid), Carretera de Valencia, km 7, 28031, Madrid, Spain

Abstract: The safety of a motor vehicle driving on a curve depends on many design parameters related to the vehicle, driving conditions and roadway geometry. All of them are represented in one parameter: the rollover limit that a vehicle can reach without rolling. In this paper a new methodology for predicting the rollover limit of buses is presented. This method is based on a theoretical model and dynamics test. The equations of the model represent the vehicle dynamical behaviour when the bus is being driven on a curve. The rollover limit is calculated after some dynamic tests. The results of the tests allow to characterise the behaviour, for real conditions on a turn, of many parameters involved in the model. The dynamic tests on the road and the mathematical model predict a reliable rollover limit of a bus. The knowledge of this value will increase the safety of these vehicles.

Keywords: bus; rollover limit; safety; lateral stability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2004.004062

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2004 Vol.34 No.4, pp.340 - 353

Published online: 10 May 2004 *

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