A Mathematical Model of Operation of a Semi-Trailer Tractor Powertrain

Abstract

The mathematical modelling is an inseparable part of mechanical engineers' activities. It is applied in design, optimization, verifying, as well as modifying of products. The approach of creating virtual models and their analyzing without having real products is applied in several domains. A mathematical model is given by equations of motion. The main objective of this work is to present the way how a mathematical model of a car powertrain operation is derived and applied in practical applications. A semi-trailer tractor with a standard powertrain was chosen as a reference car. The derived equations of motion are written in a matrix form and subsequently they are solved by means of a technical programming language Matlab. Parameters of the solved tractor mechanical system come from the real data and they are supplemented by the empirical data.

Keywords

• a mathematical model
• a powertrain
• a semi-trailer tractor
• dynamic properties