Title: Simplified models for truck dynamic response to road inputs

Authors: T. D. Gillespie, S. M. Karamihas

Addresses: The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. ' The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

Abstract: The quarter-car model has been one of the work horse tools for elementary analysis of passenger car response to road roughness. It is the analysis method by which a measure of roughness, the International Roughness Index, is extracted from road profiles. This model is used as well to predict ride vibrations, suspension motions, and wheel dynamic loads of passenger cars. A comparable simplified model for trucks has been sought to provide a fast, familiar, and easy tool for predicting truck ride and dynamic wheel load response to road roughness. This paper examines the factors that must be considered in developing a simplified dynamic model for truck response to road roughness inputs. The factors that dominate analysis of ride quality differ from those most relevant to dynamic wheel loads. Experimental evidence from the literature is used to identify the relevant dynamic modes that must be included in a simplified model for each type of analysis. An appropriate model is suggested for analysis of truck dynamic wheel loads.

Keywords: heavy vehicle simulation; quarter-car model; road roughness; dynamic wheel loads; trucks.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2000.004450

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2000 Vol.7 No.1, pp.52 - 63

Published online: 10 May 2004 *

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