Off-Highway Mine Haul Truck Dynamics Simulation

A 3-dimensional, full-vehicle computer model was created of a conventional 218 tonne payload capacity mine haul truck. Simulations were performed of a number of situations typifying in-service operation to gain insight into various aspects of the dynamic response of the hauler. A 0.25 g lane change maneuver was simulated that can represent a wide range of haul truck movements in a mine, such as collision avoidance or following a change in haul road alignment. Peak wheel loads of approximately 100 tonne were recorded, and these are about 1.7 times greater than the rated capacity of the tire. Travel on an uneven haul road was also simulated and dynamic wheel loads were predicted that are 1.3 times tire static loads. The characteristics of the road surface used in the simulations were measured with an ARRB Transport Research Ltd. road profiler. Unevenness features of sealed and unsealed roads are presented and discussed. The methods described in this paper can be used to quantify haul truck dynamic loads and the effect of haul road unevenness on tire and component life.