Company Rosenbauer developed a new battery driven fire truck, whereby the vehicle consists of independent suspensions for all four wheels. The vehicle is equipped with a conventional front wheel steering system. Currently, the rear axle can be steered during reversing maneuvers. However, this rear axle steering system indicates potential also to improve the vehicle dynamic behavior (handling). The investigation is based on a multi-body simulation and is divided into three parts.

Part 1:

• Model to be set up with accurate parameters (masses, moments of inertia, tire parameters, etc.) 
• Definition and investigation of several driving maneuvers with front-wheel steering system. 
• Driver model already exists, however fine tuning of parameters necessary for specific maneuvers.

Part 2:

• Company Rosenbauer measures vehicle with conventional steering system in the field (e.g.: St. Valentin)
• Measurement results to be postprocessed and analyzed (software programs already available)
• Fine tuning of MBS model parameters, especially tire and damper parameters, to meet measurement results

Part 3: 

• Extension of existing model by all-wheel steering system at rear axle
• Parameter variations (e.g., ratio between rear and front steering angle)
  • to identify potential of an all-wheel steering system and to optimize 
  • the dynamic behavior (handling) of the vehicle. Maybe additional control
  • parameters to be introduced (e.g., adaptive damping control)

• Ongoing study in the field of mechanical engineering
• Excellence in mechanics and mathematics
• Basic skills in multibody systems (preferably Adams)
• Capability to work independently