Lateral stability analysis of the tractor/full trailer combination vehicle

This paper presents a linear dynamics model of tractor/full trailer with six degrees of freedom, and a series of simulations are performed on obstacle avoidance manoeuvers in which the combination vehicle moves at a constant forward speed. It is found that the ratio of the peak lateral acceleration of the full trailer´s center of gravity (CG) to that of the tractor is 2.3, meanwhile, the articulated angle of the trailer is larger than that of the dolly. This phenomena, defined as the ´rearward amplification ratio´(RWA), leads vehicle to rollover easily. A larger wheelbase of trailer would be useful to improve the lateral stability of the combination vehicle but it is limited by width of the road. Acting a resistive torque on the turntable can be absolutely effective in improving the dynamics stability of the tractor/full trailer combination vehicle but if acted at hitch point it has little improvement.