Phase B involved the characterization, evaluation and test of the same Class 8 tractor used in Phase A, and a tanker-trailer normally used for the delivery of petroleum products. Each unit (tractor or tanker-trailer) of the vehicle was characterized individually under conditions that accurately represented the as-tested vehicle arrangement. The tanker-trailer used for the on-track testing (designated as Tanker-T) was specially designed and fabricated so that the desired test load distributions could be obtained with minimal complexity in terms of loading the tanks with water and sand. Two other tanker-trailers were used in the phase (designated as Tanker-M and Tanker-W). Tankers M and W were functionally identical and typical of commercial petroleum tanks and were not modified for the project. Tanker-T used the same aluminum tank barrel as Tanker-M and Tanker-W. Tankers-M and -W were used for K&C characterization and torsion testing, and rigidity and dimensional characterization. Completion of the Phase-B efforts in 2009 provided the research team with vehicle stability experience across three different trailer platforms (van-trailer, flatbed-trailer and tanker-trailer); provided insight into the relationship of torsional stiffness to roll stability; provided insight into the potential benefits of NGWBSTs for roll stability and design changes which can enhance roll stability; and provided insights into the behavior of tractors and trailers equipped with ESC and advanced suspension systems in severe maneuver conditions. New design concepts have been developed during the project, and one of the primary directions that will be pursued in future efforts is to develop a vehicle with a lower CG height than existing vehicle configurations and to design, develop, evaluate, construct, test and demonstrate an integrated tractor-trailer concept that reflects significantly increased stability and safety improvements for Class 8 combination vehicles.
U19: Heavy Truck Rollover Characterization (Phase B) Final Report
2009
418 pages
Report
No indication
English
U24: Heavy Truck Rollover Characterization (Phase C)
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