Further developments in dynamic load sharing testing for heavy vehicles.

In order to test whether better dynamic load sharing than that provided by standard heavy vehicle (HV) suspensions can be achieved; a proprietary system (The Haire suspension system ) was installed on 3 test vehicles. The Haire suspension system connects heavy vehicle air springs with larger-than-standard diameter air lines longitudinally. The transverse air line is left as standard for fitment of the system. The manufacturers of the Haire suspension system have claimed that, by installation of their proprietary system, air-sprung heavy vehicle suspensions can load share more effectively than airsprung HV suspensions possessing standard sized longitudinal air lines. The objective of this paper is to determine whether it is possible to reduce dynamic wheel forces from airsprung HVs by alteration to their standard suspensions; in particular, the size of their longitudinal air lines. This will lead to conclusions regarding the possibility that forces transmitted to pavements from the dynamic loadings from heavy vehicles may be reduced by fitting larger longitudinal air lines, thus saving on road maintenance and rehabilitation costs. The aim of this paper is to document the methodology, results and analysis of testing carried out on 3 test vehicles fitted with the Haire suspension system. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E216058.