Citation

LeBlanc PA, Woodrooffe JHF, Papagiannakis AT. Proc. Int. Tech. Conf. Enhanced Safety Vehicles 1992; 1992: 86-94.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1992, In public domain, Publisher National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The research reported in this article compares the accuracy of two types of instrumentation for measuring vertical wheel load. Both methods measure wheel load by strain gauging the axle housing. In the method adopted by Woodruffe et al, this wheel load measurement is based on the dynamic equilibrium of the moments acting on the mass outboard of the strain gauges. The second method, adapted by Whitmore, is based on dynamic equilibrium of the vertical forces acting on the mass outboard of the strain gauges. The comparison involved both static and dynamic calibrations performed on a servo-hydraulic shaker facility, and road tests conducted with an instrumented experimental vehicle. Two types of tandem axle suspension systems were tested: a drive axle, air- bag suspension and a rubber spring, walking beam trailer suspension. Details of both the calibrations and of the road tests are provided. The axle roll related anomalies encountered during the dynamic calibrations for the bending moment transducer are significant, and outweigh the advantages inherent in this method. Other anomalies also suggest that the shear force transducer is superior to the bending moment transducer.