Sensitivity Analysis of the Tilt Table Test Methodology.

摘要

The study was undertaken in order to investigate the sensitivity of tilt table measurement results to variables associated with the methodology and/or facility. To do this, one hundred and thirteen tilt table measurements of a single test vehicle were conducted at one facility. A number of facility and procedural parameters were deliberately altered during the testing to determine the sensitivity of the method to these changes. The results of the program showed: (1) Changes in trip rail geometry (which included the use of one-inch and two-inch high rails and locations of the rails at zero, one, or two inches from the tires) altered measurement results by as much as five percent. (2) Significant changes in surface friction alone appeared to produce a change of slightly over one percent. (3) Caution should be used when interpreting data signals from clinometers mounted on the test vehicle. (In the vicinity of the static roll stability limit, small accelerations of the vehicle can significantly influence these signals and may lead to erroneous conclusions.) (4) Very slow table speeds in the vicinity of the stability limit are advisable. Behavior in the immediate vicinity of the static stability limit is dominated by highly non-linear events such as encountering suspension stroke limits and tire liftoff. The quality of vehicle response in the region may depend on the particular non-linearities of the vehicle.