Abstract
This paper develops a computer model for estimating the handling of a cabover type large-sized truck. The truck is composed of front and rear suspension systems, a frame, a cab, and ten tires. The computer model is developed using ADAMS. A shock absorber, a rubber bush, and a leaf spring aunt a lot on the dynamic characteristic of the vehicle. Their stiffness and damping coefficient are measured and used as input data of the computer model. Leaf springs in the front and rear suspension systems are modeled by dividing them three links and joining them with joints. To improve the reliability of the developed computer model, the frame is considered as a flexible body. Thus, the frame is modeled by finite elements using MSC/PATRAN. A mode analysis is performed with the frame model using MSC/NASTRAN in order to link the frame model to the computer model. To verify the reliability of the developed computer model, a double lane change test is performed with an actual vehicle. In the double lane change, lateral acceleration, yaw rate, and roll angle are measured. Those test results are compared with the simulation results.