Finite element and analytical modelling of a tractor-semitrailer vehicle

Abstract

A tractor-semitrailer vehicle travelling over a random road surface is modelled using finite element and analytical methods. The vehicle's linear models are constructed in such a way as to describe the bounce and pitch modes of both the tractor and semitrailer, the bounce of each wheel-axle assembly, and also to account for the semitrailer beaming effect. The road surface irregularities are represented as stationary Gaussian random excitations. Spectral analysis technique is employed to analyze the dynamic response of the vehicle.

In this paper, the problem of the interaction of the vehicle with the road is discussed, the proposed mathematical models are presented, and the numerical results showing system eigenvalues, eigenvectors and power spectral densities of the vehicle stochastic response are given and analyzed. The finite element provides a powerful means for the prediction and assessment of the ride motion for this complex structure. The technique of spectral analysis is an effective tool for the analysis of road irregularities and the stochastic response of the road vehicles.