Dynamics stability oriented configuration optimisation of a tractor semi-trailer tank vehicle based on a coupling lateral vehicle dynamics model

This paper aims at the configuration optimisation of the tractor semitrailer tank vehicle to improve the lateral dynamics stability of the whole vehicle. In the investigation, the optimisation is performed based on a complete coupling lateral dynamics model of the tractor semi-trailer tank vehicle established in our previous work. First, a group of candidate parameters for optimisation is determined depending on the evaluation of the effect of vehicle configuration parameters on vehicle dynamics. Then comprehensive measures relating configuration parameters to vehicle dynamics stability are obtained based on the multivariable nonlinear regression method. The optimisation is solved by the elitist non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-Ⅱ) method and evaluated based on the complete coupling lateral vehicle dynamics model. This study provides a powerful means for the optimising design of the tractor semi-trailer tank vehicle.