An integrated physics-based model for stopping distance and compatibility of heavy vehicle brakes

Battelle has developed and demonstrated a model to examine potential incompatibilities of disc and drum brakes on tractor-trailer braking systems. The model provides separate effects specific for disc and drum brakes. It can be used to predict the stopping distance of tractor-trailers with different disc and drum configurations, and it can be used to predict incompatibility due to unequal fade between disc and drum brakes. Two mechanisms leading to brake fade were modeled in the simulation: 1) loss of brake contact pressure due to thermal expansion of the brake drum away from the shoe, and 2) degradation of the coefficient of friction between the brake material and the drum or disc due to thermally induced physical changes to the brake material. First-order models of truck braking are adequate only for simple situations; accurate models of stopping distance must account for the dynamic response of the entire vehicle. The Battelle model calculates the maximum available braking torque, which is an input to TruckSim, a commercial truck dynamics model. The torque that will actually be developed is calculated by TruckSim. The actual torque depends on the tire and road conditions; for example, very little torque is required to lock the wheel when the road surface is ice. The model's predictions agree with experimental data on the behavior of disc and drum brakes and on stopping distances.

• Authors:
  • Chitwood, J C
  • Shaffer, S J
  • Pape, D B
  • Stephens, D R
• Conference:
  • International Truck and Bus Safety and Security Symposium, 2005, Alexandria, Virginia, USA
• Publication Date: 2005

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 248-57
• Monograph Title: Final proceedings: International Truck and Bus Safety and Security Symposium, November 14-16, 2005, Alexandria, Virginia, USA

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Heavy vehicles; Mathematical models; Stopping distances; Trailers; Truck tractors; Vehicle safety
• Uncontrolled Terms: Road safety (engineering and vehicles)
• ATRI Terms: Braking distance; Heavy vehicle; Modelling; Tractor; Trailer; Vehicle safety
• Subject Areas: Motor Carriers; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01388654
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 23 2012 1:10AM