IMPACT OF LOAD AND BRAKING FORCE DISTRIBUTION ON THE DIRECTIONAL BEHAVIOUR OF LIGHT COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

The scope of this paper is to demonstrate, using a 7.5-t- distributor truck, how the location of the centre of gravity of the load, which can vary a great deal in distributor vehicles, influences the spring rate of the rear axle-stabilizer, the distribution of braking torques and the directional behaviour. With the aid of a complex simulation system, the directional stability of the vehicle is investigated on dry, wet and snow- packed road surfaces during such driving situations as "steady- state cornering", "braking in a turn", and "braking straight ahead". Braking procedures with anti-lock braking systems are also taken into consideration. For the covering abstract see IRRD 857625.