Effects of The Number of Axles on Vehicle Behavior Traversing Bump Terrain

Abstract

Vehicle configurations with the same hull have been developed to survey different military requirements. This procedure reduces RD and production costs, as well as simplifies the logistical supply chain. In this sense, the choice of the number of axles is relevant in the project of military vehicles, modifying the vehicle capabilities to transport soldiers, materials and weapons. This work analyzes the effects of the number of axles on vehicle behavior travelling on a terrain with a step. A half car model is employed to evaluate the 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 vehicle configurations. All of the wheels have independent and passive suspensions with springs and dampers. The system of ordinary differential equations, which represents the half car model, is solved by a fourth order Runge-Kutta algorithm implemented in SciLab software. The results describe the pitch and bounce displacements of the hull. The influence of the vehicle velocity passing on the bump is also analyzed.