Dynamic Simulation to Predict Suspension Abuse Loads Using a Radial Spring Tire Model

Dynamic analysis can be used to simulate vehicle suspension behavior as well as predict the load history for various types of road input. This paper describes a dynamic simulation of a vehicle encountering a pothole and the prediction of vertical and fore/aft loads at the wheel spindle. The vehicle front and rear suspension are modeled in adequate detail to yield reasonably accurate loads. The radial spring tire model used to simulate the tire enveloping effect is briefly described.

The dynamic analysis was performed using ADAMS (Automatic Dynamic Analysis of Mechanical Systems), a commercial program developed and marketed by Mechanical Dynamics. Inc. ADAMS is capable of solving three dimensional kinematic, static and dynamic problems.