Title: Effect of load-distributing devices on the stability of heavy vehicles

Authors: Benoit Kack, Marc J. Richard

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Laval University, Ste-Foy, Quebec G1K 7P4, Canada. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Laval University, Ste-Foy, Quebec G1K 7P4, Canada

Abstract: This article presents a mathematical model of a load-transferring device integrated to an existing computer-based mathematical method for predicting the directional response of trucks and tractor-trailers. It also considers some of the key simulations to assess the important case of a loaded tractor semi-trailer using a load distributing device at high speeds (75 to 100 km/h). The use of the device in that case is an effective anti-rollover mechanism. However, the lane change manoeuvres showed to generate an highly unstable behaviour for the vehicle.

Keywords: heavy vehicles; load-distributing devices; vehicle stability; load distribution; trucks; tractor-trailers; directional response prediction; simulation; tractor semi-trailers; mathematical modelling; anti-rollover mechanisms; lane change manoeuvres; high speeds.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.1997.054578

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 1997 Vol.4 No.1, pp.29 - 48

Published online: 18 Jun 2013 *

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