A highway road train motion model to predict it’s operational properties

BACKGROUND: the modern methods of scientific research in the field of vehicle dynamics are reduced to the creation of complex complete vehicles motion models and the further realization of simulation procedures using numerical methods. With the help of this approach, it becomes possible to solve problems of determining the internal parameters of vehicle components and assemblies systems, assessing the system functioning quality under study as a whole, or its individual components, while taking into account the complex functioning of all its internal subsystems. AIMS: tools development in the form of highway road train motion model in Multy-Body Dynamics environment for predicting the vehicle operational properties, analyzing design and engineering solutions, and selecting vehicle systems parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: the study uses numerical simulation methods in Multy-Body Dynamics environment Simcenter AMESim. The simulation object is a vehicle highway truck unit type, moving during operation along 1st and 2nd irregularities categories roads, both in a single state and with a semi-trailer as part of a highway road train. The functioning adequacy of the developed motion model has been confirmed by experimental validation methods based on the results of real highway road train field road tests at the polygon. RESULTS: a complex spatial motion model of the highway road train has been developed to simulate its movement in various weight states along the 1st and 2nd roads irregularities categories in Simcenter AMESim. The motion model provides opportunities for predicting the operational properties of smooth running, stability, controllability, traction and braking dynamics, for analyzing design and engineering solutions, and for selecting vehicle system parameters. The results of the developed motion model validation are shown deviations of the simulation results within 10%. CONCLUSIONS: a complex spatial motion model of the highway road train and its software implementation for modeling its dynamics in order to predict the vehicle operational properties have been developed. The developed model is applicable for researches of vehicles dynamics indicators by simulation modeling methods with allowable simulation results deviations within 10%.