Abstract:
In this work. an attempt has been made to develop a programming package
for ride analysis of off-road vehicles based upon a finite-element
formulation of vehicle suspension systems. Mathematical modelling of
generalised suspension systems has been carried out with several
non-linear aspects being investigated and implemented in the programming
package. such as large deflection. non-linear characteristics of springs
and dampers. bump stops and wheel separation. Different types of soi 1
have been considered together with an appropriate modelling of vehicle
tracks. Several methods for time integration of dynamic equations have
been investigated so as to deal wi th numerical instabi 1 i ty problems
expected for off-road suspension systems which often have "stiff"
differential equations of motion. Three ride analysis criteria have also
been considered in the programming package. Several case studies have been analysed using the developed programming
package. They consist of two simple case studies with known analytical
solutions. an existing wheeled off-road vehicle with published analog
computer resul t s , and an off-road tracked vehicle wi th known
experimental results. The package has been validated and proved to be an
acceptable tool for the ride analysis of off-road vehicles. within the
approximating assumptions considered. Several measures for future
development have also been suggested.
