Development and Comparison of Laplace Domain and State-Space Models of a Half-Car With Flexible Body

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Math models of wheeled ground vehicle dynamics, including flexible body effects, have been the subject of research and development for many years. These models are typically based on a finite system of simultaneous ordinary differential equations (e.g., state-space models). Higher order models that include flexible body effects offer improved accuracy over a wider frequency range than lower order rigid body models; however higher order models are typically more sensitive to uncertainties in the model parameters and have increased computational requirements. Lower order models with the desired accuracy may be achieved by model reduction of higher order models. A more general infinite dimension Laplace transfer function is derived for beam bending governed by a fourth order wave equation. The resulting infinite dimension transfer functions for beam bending are then used to develop a transfer function model of a “half-car” with a flexible body. The infinite dimensional transfer function of the half-car model is then used to assess the accuracy of the state-space models. Differences between the models due to model reduction are compared to theoretical upper bounds.