Modelling and verification of tractor ride model

This project focuses on the modelling and verification of a tractor ride model as a part of tractor semi-trailer combination ride model development. The tractor ride model is established based on the three-axle tractor. The tractor ride model equations of motion, which consist of three degrees of freedom (DOF) of body motions and six DOF of unsprung mass motions are derived. The developed tractor ride model is simulated in Matlab-Simulink software. TruckSim software is used to verify the developed ride model by conducting the simulation on flat road condition. The vehicle model is simulated to travel at 90 km/h and hits 10 cm bump. The results of the study show that the dynamic behavior of the developed tractor ride model is closely followed the TruckSim tractor ride dynamic behavior. The percentage differences of RMS values between the developed and TruckSim model for all investigated parameters are less than 5%. It provides the confidence of utilizing the developed model established in this study for the purpose of developing the tractor semi-trailer combination model.