Handling Response and Accident Reconstruction of Tractor-Semitrailers Using Micro and Minicomputers

The handling response of heavy duty trucks and tractor-semitrailers as well as the reconstruction of accidents involving these vehicles presents a challenging problem to the engineer. Due to their geometric and inertia properties, articulated connection, and tendency to jackknife, the dynamic response of these vehicles varies significantly from that of automobiles and requires the consideration of more variables. A computer model for such an analysis permits the analyst to investigate the effect of the many variables in short periods of time and not only address the problem of handling response but also be able to obtain an accurate explanation of how an accident occurred.

The methodology for the development of a modular minicomputer operational mathematical model for tractor-semitrailer accident reconstruction and handling problems and its verification are presented. Also, several problems which illustrate some of the features of the program and its graphics capabilities are included. Finally, the results of an animated movie are also presented.