Abstract
KEYWORDS
ground reactions, longitudinal dynamics, articulated tractor-trailer combination, braking force distribution, mathematic model
ABSTRACT
The article presents an algorithm that permits to calculate the wheel loads during straight-line travel for a tractor-trailer combination containing two articulated component vehicles. The algorithm can be used to predict the loads on axles, wheels or articulation pivot, to estimate the maximal attainable performances in longitudinal dynamics (acceleration, braking, climbing, downhill), to establish the best ratios between the axles’ tractive or braking forces or to find the influence of each constructive or operating parameters that affect the loads. Considering an example road train, some results are presented showing the use possibilities of the described method.