Title: Compactly modelling and analysing the roll dynamics of a partly filled tank truck

Authors: Xiujian Yang; Jin Gao

Addresses: Faculty of Transportation Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, No. 727 South Jingming Rd., Chenggong District, Kunming, 650500, China ' Faculty of Transportation Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, No. 727 South Jingming Rd., Chenggong District, Kunming, 650500, China

Abstract: In this study, a compact roll dynamics model for a partly filled tank truck is formulated based on Lagrange's approach. A trammel pendulum equivalent mechanical model is used to simulate the fluid lateral sloshing, and the nonlinear stiffness property of the suspension is also taken into account. The model is indirectly validated by comparing the state response with Salem's trammel pendulum model (Salem et al., 2009). The analysis results reveal that the lateral fluid sloshing in a partly filled tank generally couples with the body roll dynamics of the vehicle, and the rollover stability threshold can be enhanced by increasing the vehicle suspension stiffness. It is concluded that there is a potential of optimising the parameters of tank-sectional shape, suspension stiffness and damping, and some other configurable parameters to elevate the rollover stability of a partly filled tank truck in a wide fill level range.

Keywords: vehicle dynamics; tank trucks; fluid sloshing dynamics; vehicle rollover; fluid dynamics; dynamic modelling; body roll dynamics; partly filled tanks; lateral sloshing; nonlinear stiffness; vehicle suspension; rollover stability; suspension stiffness; damping.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2016.074628

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2016 Vol.23 No.1, pp.81 - 105

Received: 12 Sep 2015
Accepted: 14 Sep 2015
Published online: 09 Feb 2016 *

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