A Study on SUV Parameters Sensitivity on Rollover Propensity 2006-01-0795

The growing concern surrounding Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) rollover incidences and their consequences have prompted to investigate the sensitivity of critical vehicle parameters on rollover. In this paper, dynamic rollover simulation of Sports Utility Vehicles is carried out using a validated nonlinear vehicle model in Matlab/Simulink. A standard model is considered and critical vehicle parameters like CG height, track width and wheel base are varied within chosen specified limits to study its influence on roll behavior during Fishhook steering maneuver. A roll stability criterion based on two wheel lift off phenomenon is adopted for rollover propensity prediction. Further dynamic rollover characteristics of the vehicle are correlated with Static Stability Factor (SSF), Roll Stability Factor (RSF) and Two Wheel Lift off Velocity (TWLV). These findings will be of immense help to SUV chassis designers to determine safety limits of critical vehicle parameters and thus ensure better safety standards against SUV rollover.