This paper presents the THESEUS investigation project. The investigation started in summer 1990, and was planned to last for several years. The project has been initiated by the German Federal Minister for Research and Technology. The THESEUS term is derived from the German "Tankfahrzeuge mit höchst erreichbarer Sicherheit durch experimentelle Unfallsimulation". The project is intended to generate measures designed to improve tank trucks transporting hazardous substances. The main objective of the project is to consider the safety of the overall system consisting of: vehicle, tank components and safety devices, participants in the accident and the accident type. The first step of the project is: (1) to validate the mathematical model through experimental results using a modern truck-trailer combination with a low center of gravity; and (2) to calculate conditions not covered by experiments. The experimental accident simulation of the overall vehicle is supplemented by the systematic testing of tank components. The driving behaviour of tank vehicles is investigated by means of objective driving manoeuvres such as steady-state turning, step steering input and sinusoidal steering input. The most important parameter to be varied is the loading condition of the tank vehicle. The most significant results are expected to be the non-steady-state overturning limits of the vehicles under investigation.
Abstract