Vehicle-Road Interaction
Research related to the dynamic interaction of vehicles with the road, and the results this interaction has on both the road and the vehicle.
Early work initially concentrated on the influence of dynamic tyre forces generated by heavy goods vehicles on road damage and bridge vibration. Research was performed to understand the mechanisms by which lorries generate dynamic tyre forces as they travel along roads, and how road surfaces and bridges respond to these applied forces. Sophisticated mathematical models of vehicle dynamics and road and bridge response to moving random wheel loads were developed. These were validated using field measurements with instrumented lorries, instrumented pavement sections on the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) test track and instrumented highway bridges.
A mathematical model of 'whole-life' flexible pavement performance has been developed, by integrating the vehicle and road modelling tools developed by the group. The model incorporates the effects of dynamic tyre forces, variations of road strength (caused by construction variability) and environmental effects such as temperature and ageing. It models the development of surface rutting, surface roughness and structural stiffness degradation throughout the life of the pavement. The calculations are performed in a deterministic way - so it is possible to see (for example) how potholes and ruts develop with time at various locations along the road; or to investigate the effects on service life, of pavement design, initial construction non-uniformities and vehicle fleet variables (e.g. suspension types).
The program has recently been used to predict the influence on road maintenance costs of air spring suspensions with poorly maintained shock absorbers.
It is thought that this program will eventually become an invaluable tool for road designers and 'DBFO' contractors, in their efforts to optimise road life performance.
This software is currently being developed into a modular, user-friendly application called VPI (Vehicle-Pavement-Interaction). It is planned to release VPI for limited evaluation trials by researchers, towards the end of 2012.
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News
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May 14, 2012
CVDC is pleased to announce SDC as the newest member of the consortium.
Apr 24, 2012
CVDC Represented at EuroBrake 2012
Leon Henderson presented his latest work on HGV slip control at EuroBrake 2012 in Dresden.
Sep 15, 2011
The CVDC had its bi-annual meeting at the headquarters of Poclain Hydraulics in Verberie, France. The consortium discussed research performed over the last 6 months, and future directions.
Sep 10, 2011
Will Midgley presented recent results of his research into regenerative braking for articulated heavy vehicles at the Vehicle Propulsion and Power Conference 2011 in Chicago, USA.
Aug 20, 2011
CVDC Represented at IAVSD 2011
Leon Henderson presented some of his recent work on Tyre Dynamics and Slip-Control Braking at the 22nd International Symposium on Dynamics of Vehicles on Roads and Tracks, held in Manchester, UK.