2018 Volume 80 Issue 6 Pages 415-424
This study was conducted to ascertain whether a physics engine is applicable, or not, to predict the critical height of a frame, or tip-over protective structure (TOPS), for an agricultural carrier on a slope. Sideways overturning behaviors of both three-wheeled and four-wheeled agricultural model carriers were investigated using a physics engine: Bullet. Results demonstrated that the predicted critical height of TOPS was similar to that of experimentally obtained results for both the three-wheeled and four-wheeled model carriers. With its capability of calculating friction, restitution and its interaction with the vehicle, the physics engine can simulate sideways overturning behaviors of agricultural carriers more realistically than the use of OECD code originally developed for agricultural tractors.
