Design of Live Gooseneck Multi-Axle Trailer and Experimental Validation by Simulated Static Load Test

Special purpose, high payload carrying capacity, live gooseneck, multi axles, hydraulic suspension semi trailer is abinitio designed for transportation and tilting of heavy cargo from horizontal to vertical by hydraulically actuated mechanism integrated on the trailer. The chassis is levelled on hydraulic jacks followed by tilting of cargo. Hence the chassis experiences variable forces during tilting and estimated from kinematic model of tilting mechanism. These forces are input for finite element based structural design of chassis. Structural deflection of a step is made as initial condition for certain load cases of the analysis. Live gooseneck of this semi-trailer consists of hydraulically actuated mechanism, interconnected with multiple hydraulic suspensions in appropriate ratios. Estimation of Axles and fifth wheel force distributions of such trailer is complex. Mathematical modelling made to estimate these forces and applied as inputs for finite element analysis. Simulated static load test set-up is designed for experimental validation of finite element analysis. One low cost innovative static fixture arrangement, which is entirely different from actual tilting mechanism, is developed for controlled application of simulated forces on the chassis. The strain gauging is made at various predetermined locations of trailer chassis and strains are recorded during simulated load test by static fixture as a part of acceptance test plan. Deflections are also measured at different locations of the chassis. The recorded strain and deflection values are analysed, correlated and validated with results obtained from Finite Element Analysis. Method established for design and validation of live gooseneck trailer.