Computer modelling and analysis of performance of a road simulator

This paper describes the development of a computer model of a road simulato r, and the use of this model to perform frequency response based controller tuning of the road simulator's hydraulic actuators. In order for a road si mulator to effectively serve as a substitute for road tests, it must be abl e to accurately reproduce a desired road profile. When the system controlle r was first tuned using conventional tuning rules, the simulator was unable to meet the desired performance objectives. The computer model was develop ed so that a more fundamental control analysis could be performed on the sy stem and its components. Ultimately, the model was used to develop a better procedure for determining the appropriate controller gains required to ach ieve the desired performance goals.