Analysis of fatigue in semi-articulated trucks

• Grant number: 00/12802-4
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: September 01, 2002
• End date: February 28, 2003
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Alberto Nunes Dias
• Grantee: Carlos Alberto Nunes Dias
• Company: Masa Peças e Serviços Ltda
• City: Guarulhos

Abstract

Many goods vehicles, such as semi-articulated tanker trucks for the transportation of bulk or liquid cargoes, are used in Brazil for the freight of liquid and corrosive liquids. Despite being built to some Brazilian specifications and in compliance with weight regulations, owing to the state of the road surfaces these components have manifested fatigueinduced collapse, characterized by the occurrence of fracture in the region of the rear suspension bearers, causing cracks in the tanker body and spillages of corrosive products. This study will present an analysis of the phenomenon of fatigue in semi-articulated tanker trucks, taking into consideration the complex dynamic loading acting on it by virtue of tire/road surface contact. A methodology will be developed based on the application of the SN curve in conjunction with the Palrngren-Miner rule, in order to define the accumulated damage associated with every dynamic demand, enabling a definition of the operational life of the semi-articulated tanker truck. The dynamic tensions acting on this equipment will be obtained experimentally, with the instrumentation of a semi-articulated tanker truck, and they will be recorded when it goes over a specific route. With the aid of the use of the method of Finite Elements for the definition of acting static stresses on the semi-articulated tanker truck, a proposal for possible alteration to the geometry of this component will be evaluated, with a view to reducing the stresses acting on the region of the circumferential and longitudinal solders. The idea is to suggest alterations in the manufacturing process of the semi-articulated tanker truck with the aim of reducing the defects introduced by the use of soldering the metal sheets and accessories which make up this piece of equipment. (AU)