Efficiency of the simulation model of a light commercial vehicle

The paper describes the results of the efficiency analysis of the simulation model of light commercial vehicle GAZ GAZelle NEXT. The efficiency of the model is confirmed by comparing the results of field test and calculation studies of controllability. The model is built in the MSC ADAMS/Car software package. It accounts for the mass-inertial characteristics of sprung and unsprung masses; the model of the suspension system simulates the kinematics and elasto-kinematics of the suspension and steering control, as well as elastic and damping elements. The tire model simulates vertical stiffness and damping, the slip stiffness depends on the vertical load, the longitudinal slip coefficient and the lateral angle of tire relative to the contact surface. The assessment was made by comparing the data obtained experimentally and by calculation. The test is conducted using the Fishhook method applied by NHTS for the vehicle stability analysis. The resulting errors are analyzed based on relative and absolute error values. When analyzing lateral acceleration and yaw rate deviations, the mathematical statistical tools are employed: average deviation, dispersion, root-mean-square deviation. The discrepancy between the results and the deviation of the average values does not exceed 10%. Minor deviations and scatter of results shows the efficiency of the simulation model and that this model can be employed for simulating the curvilinear motion of light commercial vehicles and assessment of their controllability and stability characteristics.