Title: Ride simulation of a nonlinear tractor-trailer combination using the improved statistical linearisation technique

Authors: J. Zhou

Addresses: UMTRI, Engineering Research Division, University of Michigan, 2901 Baxter Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2150, USA

Abstract: A 17-degree-of-freedom ride model of a nonlinear tractor-trailer combination thst includes tyre equivalent stiffness and damping coefficient dependence of excitation frequency is developed. The improved statistical linearisation technique applicable to solving this nonlinear combination is derived. A nonlinear three-degree-of-freedom driver model, a shock absorber exponential model, a hitch free play model and a leaf spring closed exponential model as well as a tyre model that includes both nonlinear stiffness and damping coefficient and wheel hop are incorporated in the analytical technique. By comparing the calculated response values of the tractor-trailer combination considering the tyre equivalent stiffness and damping coefficient dependence of excitation frequency with the ones of the tractor-trailer combination not considering such dependence, the accuracy of the tyre model and the effectiveness of the improved statistical linearisation technique are demonstrated.

Keywords: analytical modelling; damping; nonlinear characteristics; ride comfort; statistical linearisation technique; stiffness; vibration; tractor-trailer; heavy vehicles.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.1998.054606

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 1998 Vol.5 No.2, pp.149 - 166

Published online: 18 Jun 2013 *

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