Vehicle vibration is inherently random and non-stationary with a non-Gaussian distribution. In addition, variations in vehicle parameters, product payloads and distribution journeys mean that the characteristics of vibration are not identical for all distribution journeys. Because vehicle vibration and shock are key causes of damage during distribution, their simulation in pre-distribution testing is vital in order to ensure that adequate protection is provided for transported products. The established method set out in the current testing standards utilises a global set of averaged accelerated power spectral density spectra to construct random vibration signals. These signals are stationary with Gaussian distributions and, therefore, do not fully represent actual vehicle vibration, only an average. The aim of the investigation, reported on in this Thesis, was to create an improved test regime for simulating vehicle vibration for pre-distribution testing of packaging. This aim has been achieved through the construction of representative tests and the creation of realistic simulations with statistical significance. A journey database has been created, in which historic road profile data along with a quarter vehicle model have been used to approximate a known vehicle’s vibration on a specific distribution journey. Additionally, a wavelet decomposition method, in which wavelet analysis is used to decompose the approximate vehicle vibration in to a series of Gaussian approximations of varying amplitude and spectral content, has been developed. Along with theoretical work, case studies have been undertaken in order to validate the test regime.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:589639 |
| Date | January 2013 |
| Creators | Griffiths, Katharine Rhiannon |
| Contributors | Hicks, Ben ; Keogh, Patrick |
| Publisher | University of Bath |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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