Title: Road tankers axles load share design

Authors: A.S. Papadogiannis, A.G. Farmakopoulos, T.G. Chondros

Addresses: Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics Departments, University of Patras, 265 00, Patras, Greece. ' Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics Departments, University of Patras, 265 00, Patras, Greece. ' Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics Departments, University of Patras, 265 00, Patras, Greece

Abstract: Road tankers design parameters include the tank geometry, the liquid load carried, chassis type, wheelbase, number of axles and how the suspension type influences axles load share, stability, roll, vehicle handling characteristics, braking dynamics, operational efficiency, road wear, road safety and ADR requirements. In this paper, an algorithm is presented for the estimation of load share on the groups of axles (bogies) and the individual axles of the bogies in relation to the tank centre of gravity positioning on the vehicle chassis in both the longitudinal and the vertical plane. The following assumptions are considered: the vehicle structure is assumed to be rigid, the vehicle is symmetric about its centreline, the lateral deflection of the suspension is negligible and the reaction forces from the road are applied at the centre of the tyres. A static roll threshold model is incorporated to assure that the road tanker complies with the Regulation R-111 for lateral stability. The proposed algorithm can be used as a design and evaluation tool from roadtankers manufacturers in two ways: for the chassis selection for a given tank type or the design of a tank to fit a specific chassis configuration. The method provides detailed vehicle specifications; tank centre of gravity coordinates, bogies load share and rollover characteristics from an early design stage.

Keywords: road tankers; heavy vehicles; vehicle design; tanker design; axle static loads; load share; lateral stability; ADR vehicle specifications; tanker axles; bogies; roll threshold models; tank design; chassis selection; chassis configuration; vehicle rollover; vehicle safety; dangerous goods.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2010.035990

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2010 Vol.17 No.3/4, pp.256 - 275

Published online: 11 Oct 2010 *

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