Coupled Vertical-Lateral Dynamics of a Pneumatic Tired Vehicle: Part II—Simulated Versus Experimental Data

Abstract

The vertical and lateral acceleration response of an automobile to roadway roughness inputs was simulated using a ten degree-of-freedom mathematical model. The simulated response compared favorably with that obtained experimentally in terms of their power spectral density functions and root mean squared values in the 0.1–10 Hz frequency range. Furthermore, within the context of ride quality, a sensitivity study was conducted to determine the effect of variations in the suspension damping ratio, anti-roll bar stiffness and lateral “pneumatic” stiffness on vehicle response variables. The indication is that a trade-off exists between the reduction in lateral and roll motions due to an increase in suspension damping and the resulting increase in the higher frequency components in the vertical acceleration. The model that has been developed is well suited for performing design trade-off analysis.