Stability and vibrations of an all-terrain vehicle subjected to nonlinear structural deformation and resistance

This study intends to investigate the dynamic behaviour of an all-terrain vehicle travelling on rough terrains. A nonlinear analytical model is established for quantifying the response of the vehicle with spring and damping nonlinearities to various operation and terrain conditions. Focus of the study is on the motion characteristics of the vehicle operating on rough terrains. Stability analyses are performed for the all-terrain vehicles under the operation of surmounting large obstacles and the operation of the vehicle on rough terrain surfaces. Stability conditions are provided and stable and unstable region diagrams are plotted and analyzed with the analytical model developed. Analytical solutions are provided for weakly nonlinear dynamic systems. Numerical simulations for the motion of the all-terrain vehicle are also presented.