EVALUATION OF DYNAMIC LOAD FOR A SEMI-TRAILER TRUCK USING AIR-SPRING AND LEAF SPRING SUSPENSION SYSTEMS

Abstract

This article evaluates the ability to reduce dynamic load of semi-trailer using air suspension
systems compared to traditional leaf spring suspension systems. First, a model of the air suspension
system was built based on the GENSYS model, then simulation of the whole vehicle model was
conducted on Matlab-Simulink software to evaluate the ability to reduce dynamic loads of the semi-
trailer using air suspension systems compared to leaf springs based on Dynamic Road Stress Factor
(DRSF). Vibration simulations of the semi-trailer were performed on different types of random road
surfaces from A to H according to ISO 8608 standards with vehicle speeds varying from 20 to 120km/h.
The results obtained show a significant reduction in DRSF on semi-trailer axles using air suspension
compared to leaf spring suspension, especially when the semi-trailer is traveling on bad roads and at
high speeds, with the highest reduction up to 85%.