A time integration method for simulations of tyre vehicles on flexible structures

Abstract

The main objective was to perform simulations using a realistic model of a truck and trailer passing over a flexible bridge structure. A general multi-body dynamics program, DADS, and its tyre subroutines were interfaced with in-house finite element method (FEM) routines in order to create a vehicle/structure interaction computer program. Different time stepping algorithms from multi-body dynamics and FEM domains were integrated into a ‘common’ time stepping procedure. The bridge structure was simplified to a flat surface built up of shell finite elements. Tyre normal, lateral and longitudinal forces were applied to the bridge. Three driving cases were considered: straight forward driving with and without braking and a lane change manoeuvre. Braking moments were distributed to the wheel axles. The program ANSYS was used for post-processing of bridge stresses.