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A simple and robust path follower has been developed for use in road loads simulations as required for virtual evaluation of vehicle durability and strength. The path follower is described as simple because it has a single tunable parameter and minimal control logic. It is deemed robust because the same gain setting can be used over a wide range of terrains, paths, and speeds. Path following performance is successfully demonstrated with a multibody vehicle model of a generic heavy truck for a variety of terrains, paths, and speeds. The convergence to the desired path during parameter tuning is observed to be monotonic. A physical interpretation of the gain as a maximum centripetal acceleration further enables vehicles in the same or similar classes of mobility characteristics (all off-road trucks for example) to utilize the same gain value.

Simulation of road loads in truck suspensions generally requires leaf-spring models. This paper presents a simple and accurate leaf-spring model that can be effectively used in analytical road load simulations using ADAMS software. The model topology is based on the familiar SAE “three-link” model. The model parameters are identified from static force-deflection test data. Alternatively, the parameters can be identified from a target design specification or from analytical “tests” on a detailed finite element model. The new leaf spring model has been validated for static and dynamic performance using laboratory test data.