Title: The behaviour of very long semi-trailers

Authors: Joop Pauwelussen, Sil Bijker, Jarno Broeze, Geert Van Der Vlist

Addresses: HAN University, Mobility Technology Research, P.O. Box 2217, Arnhem, 6802 CE, The Netherlands. ' HAN University, Mobility Technology Research, P.O. Box 2217, Arnhem, 6802 CE, The Netherlands. ' HAN University, Mobility Technology Research, P.O. Box 2217, Arnhem, 6802 CE, The Netherlands. ' Nooteboom Trailers, P.O. Box 2217, Arnhem, 6802 CE, The Netherlands

Abstract: The transportation of very long loads (e.g. pipes, rotor blades) requires semitrailers that can be extended to ever increasing length. An example is the Nooteboom teletrailer having a flexible extendible beam in between the front and the rear part, allowing a total trailer length of 46 m, but leading to a considerable time delay between tractor and semitrailer axles. The paper discusses the behaviour of these teletrailers based on simulation analysis, for stationary behaviour, as well as under dynamic performance, and with specific emphasis on the interaction between front and rear part of the semitrailer through the load being applied. The model is validated against experiments. The investigations show that, even under extreme steering input and high speeds, the lateral performance of the tractor-semitrailer combination remains within limits that can be regarded as safe.

Keywords: semi-trailers; handling behaviour; trailer swingout; stability; very long loads; teletrailers; simulation; lateral performance; tractor-semitrailer; vehicle safety; vehicle modelling; axle configurations; extreme manoeuvring; high speeds.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVSMT.2006.009604

International Journal of Vehicle Systems Modelling and Testing, 2006 Vol.1 No.4, pp.253 - 277

Published online: 02 May 2006 *

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