Finite Element Modeling of Different Autonomous Truck Combinations, Tire Types and Lateral Wander Modes

Autonomous trucks can be used in different loading combinations, including different axle configurations, tire types, and lateral wander mode scenarios. In this research, four different truck types have been selected with varying gross weights and axle configurations. The four different truck types include a 5-axle long-haul semi-truck, a 6-axle electric autonomous truck, a 6-axle autonomous truck platoon leader, and a 5-axle autonomous truck platoon follower. Furthermore, three different tire footprint scenarios, consisting of a conventional dual wheel assembly, a wide base tire, and a new generation wide base tire, have been used. In order to utilize the possibility of lateral wander programmed into the autonomous trucks, three different lateral wander models, including zero lateral wander, a human-driven probabilistic lateral wander, and an optimum uniform wander mode, have been used. Finite element analysis has been employed to incorporate the effects of various scenarios on a conventional pavement section. Results showed improved pavement life with the use of uniform wander mode, where trucks T1 and T2 improved the pavement life by 47% and 56%, respectively, when compared to truck T3. Furthermore, the use of uniform wander mode decreases rutting and fatigue damage by 36% and 28%, respectively, on average for all scenarios. The use of new generation wide-base tires is recommended, since it reduces damaging strains by 38% when compared to the dual tire configuration.