Computer Simulation of the Effect of Cargo Shifting on Articulated Vehicles Performing Braking and Cornering Maneuvers, Volume 1, Executive Summary

P.0. 6-4-0118
The effects of sloshing liquid cargo on the limit performance of articulated trucks have been investigated. The limit performances of four vehicle configurations in cornering and braking maneuvers were simulated using an augmented version of the vehicle simulation program, TDVS (Three Dimensional Vehicle Simulation). The vehicle configurations consisted of tractor with unbaffled, baffled, and compartmentalized tank trailers and a baseline van. Simulated maneuvers were lane change, cornering, straight-line braking, and braking-in-a-turn. Both vehicle configurations and maneuvers were modeled to correspond with the full-scale experiments, "Effect of Cargo Shifting on Vehicle Handling", (DOT-FH-11-9195), conducted by Dynamic Sciences, Inc. This report covers the validation of the augmented TDVS program, and the development and implementation of a methodology for conducting limit of performance simulations. Results are discussed and summarized in the context of the simulation program and in light of experimental data. Finally, recommendations are presented for vehicle dynamics analysis methodology and for future studies.