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In inertially-reacted road test simulations, spindle accelerations that are acquired in the field can be replicated precisely and their replication improves the accuracy of the simulations versus simulations in which spindle accelerations are not replicated. In fixed-reacted road test simulations, on the other hand, spindle accelerations are often not replicated due to the belief that doing so will introduce unrealistic loads into the test specimen. Although this is true with regards to the lower frequency range of the control band, it is shown in this paper that replicating spindle accelerations in the upper frequency range of the control band can improve the accuracy of fixed-reacted road test simulations. In order to analyze the effects of spindle vertical acceleration control on suspension loads, models were created for a half vehicle on the road and on a fixed-reacted road test simulator.

A technique to measure steering motion and loads for different steering gear systems is introduced. Data analysis and preparation for road test simulation are presented. Full vehicle simulation with different types of steering restraints on a 6DOF (six degrees of freedom) road test simulator is studied.

The MTS 329LT six degree-of-freedom road test simulator (6DOF RTS) provides additional controls for camber and steer moments resulting in more realistic simulation results compared with results for a 4DOF RTS. However, the 6DOF RTS requires that additional transducers be installed on the data acquisition vehicle to provide the road load information necessary to control these additional moments. Occasionally, road load data available for drive file development may not include the necessary information for controlling steer and camber moments (typically for 4DOF applications). Under such circumstances, it is still possible to develop drive files for solid-axle-type rear suspensions. A technique used to accomplish this task is presented in this paper.

The techniques in the application of road test simulators in light vehicle development and durability evaluation are presented in this paper. The steps of the road test simulation process are outlined and described. Optimization of the process for verification of vehicle structure with road test simulation is also presented.