Effect of Speed Bumps on Dynamic Behavior of a Heavy Vehicle

The paper presents finite element (FE) development and experimental validation for a three dimensional virtual model of a selected heavy vehicle – a truck tractor with a three axle single drop lowboy trailer. The main objective of this research activity is to create a simplified FE model of a heavy vehicle applicable for transient analysis of dynamic interaction between a vehicle and a bridge or road structure. Such model should provide a reliable approximation of dynamic loadings exerted by the wheels to the bridge or pavement structure for a wide range of total weights and speeds considered. To meet this requirement the FE model should have correct mass distribution and properly represented stiffness characteristics of the suspension system. As explicit laboratory testing of the suspension system requires its disassembling and is very expensive, an indirect method was applied to find the stiffness and damping characteristics of the suspension. The study reported in this paper consists of experimental and numerical parts. During the experimental tests the vehicle was driven across the speed bumps at different speeds. The relative displacement and acceleration histories were recorded for several points located on the vehicle axles and the frame. In addition, a speed bump was scanned on site using a laser scanner. The experimental data was subsequently used for the development and validation of the spring and damping characteristics for suspension systems of the FE model. The numerical part was based on non-linear, explicit, dynamic, finite element (FE) analysis using the LS-DYNA computer code.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Szurgott, Piotr
  • Ansley, Marcus H
  • Kwasniewski, Leslaw
  • Wekezer, Jerry
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 88th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2009-1-11 to 2009-1-15
• Date: 2009

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: DVD
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 11p
• Monograph Title: TRB 88th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers DVD

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Finite element method; Heavy vehicles; Pavement management systems; Pavements; Speed control humps; Tractor trailer combinations; Truck tractors; Trucking
• Identifier Terms: LS-DYNA (Computer program)
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Pavements; Vehicles and Equipment; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01124764
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 09-3537
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Mar 25 2009 7:38AM