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The directional dynamics of partially filled articulated tank vehicles is investigated via computer simulation assuming constant forward velocity. The directional response characteristics of an articulated tank vehicle is investigated for various steering manoeuvres and compared to that of an equivalent rigid cargo vehicle to demonstrate the destabilizing effects of liquid load shift. It is concluded that during a steady steer input, the distribution of cornering forces caused by the liquid load shift yields considerable deviation of the path followed by the tank vehicle. The lateral load shift encountered in a partially filled tank vehicle during lane change and evasive type of highway manoeuvres gives rise to roll and lateral instabilities.

General purpose tank vehicles often carry partial loads in view of variations in the weight density of the liquid cargo and are thus subject to slosh loads during highway manoeuvres. The magnitude of destabilizing forces and moments due to liquid slosh is strongly related to a number of vehicle and tank design factors, such as tires, suspension, articulation mechanism, weights and dimensions, tank geometry and fill level. The rollover threshold of the tank vehicle is compared to that of an equivalent rigid cargo vehicle to demonstrate the destabilizing effects of liquid slosh. The rollover threshold of the tank vehicle is evaluated for a number of tank design factors. Influence of tank size and cross-section on the rollover threshold of the tank vehicles is investigated. The study concludes that the lateral load shift and thus the rollover threshold is strongly related to the tank cross-section geometry.