Vehicle model robustness: A case study of the FMTV military truck model

Abstract

Vital to the effectiveness of simulation-based design is having a model of known quality of the system being designed. The purpose of this paper is to validate a simplified dynamic model of an FMTV (Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles) for a range of system parameters using a previously developed technique for determining model robustness and accuracy within a design space. The literature provides an algorithm called AVASIM (Accuracy and Validity Algorithm for Simulation) for assessing model validity systematically and quantitatively. AVASIM assess the validity of a model based on a specific input and set of system parameters. The literature also defines a procedure for evaluating the robustness and accuracy of a model with respect to input and system parameter variations based on the AVASIM algorithm. This procedure produces a Range of Validity for a model that is quantitative, systematic and based on physically meaningful specifications In this paper the Range of Validity techniques are applied to a reduced model of an FMTV in order to verify its accuracy and robustness within a design space. The results from the analysis show that for the design space and simulation conditions chosen a reduced order model of the FMTV vehicle is more than sufficiently accurate. Design decisions can be made with confidence and design optimization studies can be performed faster while using this reduced model. Copyright © 2005 SAE International.