A study of road corrugations

Abstract

Corrugation problem is a worldwide phenomenon encountered by the Engineers who deal with dynamical systems. The problem has mainly been observed in rolling contact surfaces of metals and in road surfaces. Some research work has been carried out in both these fields but no convincing hypothesis on the phenomena responsible fer corrugation format ion has been developed. Road corrugation studies were carried out in the study described in this thesis. Road corrugations, which are associated with gravel/ earth roads, consist of a series of ridges perpendicular to the centre Line of the road which In most cases extend across the road. They cause considerable damage to vehicle suspension systems. Their occurrence on roads, therefore, raises the vehicles' operation costs and road maintenance costs considerably. The mechanisms by which they form, however, are not yet understood . Studies carried out in this research involved the modelling of the problem by vehicle dynamics theoretical analysis, determination of parameters used in the model and in the design of a rig, problem simulation on a rolling rig, full scale field studies and laboratory studies.