Methodology and Results of Durability Tests of a Commercial Vehicle Drive Train

The methodology of durability tests comprises calculations on the basis of load collectives taken from the test-run and generalized mathematically. By their transformation to stress collectives and by durability hypotheses these load factors lead to the determination of the expected service life. Similarly the durability to be expected in practical operation can be predicted by means of test-runs, although costs and time-expenditure are considerable.

The important feature of durability testing is the high degree with which the total travel distances rely on type of operation and vehicle weight and to a somewhat lesser degree, on gear ratios, engine output and torque.