Measurement and analysis of vibration levels for truck transport in Spain as a function of payload, suspension and speed

Abstract

AbstractThe vibration levels that occur during transportation in vehicles are complex and play a significant role in the level of damage experienced by products when shipped. In the past decade, technology has allowed packaging engineers to measure and analyse the vibration levels in commercial shipments. Recent studies have measured vibration in shipping environments on a global basis to allow packaging designers to develop packaging to meet worldwide distribution challenges. The purpose of this study was to measure and develop simulation methods for truck transport in Spain. The study quantifies vibration characteristics in trucks as a function of speed, payload and suspension type. The shipments were instrumented with vibration data recorders to measure the vibration levels and a global position system to measure the truck speed. The recorders were mounted at the rear and front location of the trailer. Two different trucks, one with leaf spring suspension and the other with air ride suspension were studied using two different load conditions. The road surface was asphalt. The data is presented in the form of power spectral density that can be used to program electrohydraulic vibration tables using ASTM, ISTA and ISO vibration test methods. Results showed that the air ride vibration levels were lower than that of leaf spring suspension trailers. Overall, the vibration intensity was lower for both types of truck as compared with the levels measured in North America, China, India and Southeast Asia. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.