Abstract
Key Words:
Commercial vehicle dynamics, Articulated vehicles, ADAMS, Handling, Stability, Rollover
Abstract
This paper presents a multidegree-of-freedom non-linear multibody dynamic model of a three-axle ten wheel heavy commercial vehicle. The model comprises front and rear leaf spring suspensions, steering function, and ten tyres, and the study is mainly concerned with the dynamics and stability simulation of the vehicle. The handling characteristics of a three-axle ‘bicycle’ model are presented, and both lateral and yaw behaviour using this model are examined. A full vehicle three-axle truck model with a nonlinear tyre model and a typical steering system for rigid front axles is then simulated using ADAMS (automatic dynamic analysis of mechanical systems) formulation. The model incorporates compliance, stiffness and damping in the suspension system, all with non-linear characteristics. The results of two simulations are presented: a constant radius turn and a rollover test. The results demonstrate the understeer behaviour of this type of commercial vehicle and predict evidence of spin behaviour of this vehicle.