REPRESENTING TRUCK TIRE CHARACTERISTICS IN SIMULATIONS OF BRAKING AND BRAKING-IN-A-TURN MANEUVERS

Abstract

ABSTRACT The tire characteristics and modeling concepts presented here are intended for use in studying the performance of trucks (including articulated vehicles) in braking and braking-in-a-turn maneuvers such as those included in recent versions of U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 121. A semi-empirical tire model is used to provide example truck-tire characteristics. The semi-empirical model is based upon the theoretical concepts employed in brush type tire models. Tire dynamics are included using a relaxation length approach. These postulated tire concepts are employed in conjunction with measured or specified tire stiffnesses and tire-road frictional properties to predict longitudinal and lateral forces.