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This paper examines the validation process for computer simulations of ground vehicle dynamics. Validation in this context may be defined as the process of gaining confidence that the calculations yield useful insights into the behavior of the simulated vehicle. It is our view that this process requires three separate questions to be addressed: Is the model appropriate for the vehicle and maneuver of interest? Is the simulation based on equations that faithfully replicate the model? Are the input parameters reasonable? This paper addresses each of these questions, mainly from an analytical point of view. The paper then addresses strengths and weaknesses of vehicle testing as part of the validation process.

A historical overview of theory and experiment pertaining to tire shear force generation during combined slip is presented followed by a review of more recent empirical findings. The requirements for modeling the tire in combined maneuvers are summarized prior to presenting, in detail, a semi-empirical model of the tire developed to fulfill these requirements. The ability of the developed model to fit the shear force characteristics exhibited by belted, radial-ply tires and bias-ply tires is examined and demonstrated.

Linear anaylsis is a frequently used tool to aid in the understanding of directional response. Understeer gradient, characteristic or critical speed, and yaw rate and lateral acceleration response times have been particularly helpful. This paper studies the use of these measures in the context of vehicles with four-wheel steering. The paper shows that, with only a slight change in SAE definitions, the understeer gradient retains its traditional meaning, but the characteristic speed will depend on the steering system if the steady state part of the steering control algorithm is speed sensitive. The paper also discusses testing for the understeer gradient, and the anticipated changes in response time due to four-wheel steering.

Vehicle dynamics simulations typically use semi-empirical tire models. The input to these models are normal load, sideslip angle and longitudinal slip, and the output are shear forces, aligning moment, and overturning moment. Since the longitudinal speed is in the denominator of both sideslip angle and longitudinal slip, the calculation of sideslip angle and longitudinal slip at very low longitudinal velocities leads to numerical problems. This has not been a particular stumbling point in the past because vehicle dynamics calculations were largely concerned with high speed analysis. In situations wherein the vehicle was braked to a stop, patchwork techniques sufficed for calculations at low speeds. Now, however, with the advent of serious attention to driving simulators, low speed tire modelling has become more important.