Finite Element Simulation and Experimental Validation of Article Mounted Special Purpose Long Semi-Trailer

The special purpose long semi-trailer has been designed and developed for transportation and articulation of an article. A tilting mechanism is integrated on the trailer for articulating the article from horizontal to vertical position through a pair of hydraulic cylinders. Finite Element Model (FEM) using 3D shell and beam elements (six degrees of freedom) have been made for the complete integrated system and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) has been carried out for various loading conditions e.g. during transportation of article, at the start and end of articulation of the article, etc. Based on the finite element results, regions of critical stress have been selected for strain measurement. An experimentation scheme has been developed for recording of strain under simulated loading. The FEA has been validated by experimental stress analysis.