Simulation based discomfort assessment of two-wheeler riders

Abstract

Ride discomfort apart from various other factors is caused due to whole body vibration (WBV) while driving, where road profiles act as a major source of WBV exposure to a vehicle rider. The present study develops a 6DOF lumped mass parameter model of two-wheeler coupled with rider in state space form. The model is simulated in LabVIEW12.0 under the excitation of generated random road profiles, classified as per ISO 8608:2016. The model was validated for a two-wheeler named 'HERO SPLENDOR PRO' on three types of road profiles i.e. good, average and poor at a vehicle speed of 20 km/h. Assessment of discomfort in simulation model, according to ISO 2631-1:1997, was done for 85 kg rider on good road profile at 40 km/h vehicle speed and the ride was found uncomfortable. ANOVA test showed that there were significant effects of road profile, vehicle speed, seat stiffness and seat damping on ride discomfort.