RR614 - Articulated dumper truck rollover
T his report details a programme of practical testing and
computer simulation of the roll characteristics of articulated
site dumper trucks.
Trials were undertaken at MIRA using a Thwaites 6-Tonne, Power
Swivel dumper truck to conduct a range of manoeuvres, at a range
of speeds and carrying a range of loads. Each experimental case
was modelled in a computer simulation. The modelled and measured
results showed good correlation, in particular for manoeuvres
incorporating larger bumps (100mm in height) and for circling
manoeuvres.
From the measuring and modelling undertaken, it appears that the
key contributions to rollover occur when working on uneven
ground. Dumper trucks feature very low levels of damping since
their only ‘suspension’ is by deformation of the tyres and drive
train. On uneven ground, this can produce significant roll
angles in response to impact with a bump and this effect can be
exaggerated if the natural frequency of the response coincides
with another wheel of the truck hitting the same bump.
An initial investigation of the response of dumper trucks
impacting a bump when operating on a sloping plane was conducted
in the computer model. This indicated that impacting a bump can
cause the vehicle to roll over on slopes significantly shallower
than the static roll angle of the truck.
This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health
and Safety Executive (HSE). Its contents, including any opinions
and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the authors alone and
do not necessarily reflect HSE policy.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/rr614.htm
(No responsibility is accepted by any falsehoods
ect in this article. 24/4/12) |
