Influence of Road Surfaces on Whole Body Vibration for Suspended Cabin Tractor Semitrailer Drivers

Abstract

This paper presents a study on whole body vibration analysis for drivers of tractor semitrailers. The tractor semitrailer, namely, a suspended cabin tractor semitrailer was considered for the present investigation. The important process parameters such as different speeds, different road surfaces and different loaded conditions with driver seat interface acceleration in X- longitudinal, Y-transverse and Z-vertical axes were tested. The average running weighted root mean square accelerations obtained after conducting the experimental work were between 0.6265 and 1.5594 m/s2at the driver seat interface in the translational axes. Based on the weighted acceleration the value was compared to ISO 2631–1:1997 to find the permitted exposure time of drivers. The acceleration suspended cabin tractor semi trailer drivers are exposed to exceeds the upper exposure limit for an 8-h work day as outlined in (ISO 2631–1:1997) [1] when they work continuously.