IMPACT OF LIQUID LOAD SHIFT ON THE BRAKING CHARACTERISTICS OF PARTIALLY FILLED TANK VEHICLES

Braking characteristics of a tractor-tank-semitrailer vehicle is inves tigated by incorporating the influence of liquid load shift occurring within the partially filled tank. The tank vehicle model is developed by integrating a steady state model of a partially filled tank and a p itch plane model of the vehicle. The liquid load shift occurring in th e pitch plane of the vehicle during a braking maneuver is characterize d using the change in the gradient of the free surface of liquid and t he corresponding shift in the center of gravity of the fluid bulk. The change in normal load on the various axles of the vehicle during the maneuver is then computed to analyze the braking behavior of the parti ally filled tank vehicle. The braking characteristics of the tank vehi cle are then compared to those of an equivalent rigid cargo vehicle in order to study the impact of liquid load shift. Influence of various vehicle and tank design parameters on the braking behavior and wheel l ock-up condition is also investigated for typical braking maneuvers.