Master Thesis
Göteborg, SE, 417 15
Master thesis: Improving Heavy Duty Vehicle Stability During Split-μ Braking Situations with Rear Axle Steering
Location: Göteborg, SE, 417 15
Position Type: Student
Transport is at the core of modern society. Imagine using your expertise to shape sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions for the future. If you seek to make a difference on a global scale, working with next-gen technologies and the sharpest collaborative teams, then we could be a perfect match.
What will you do
At Electrohydraulic Steering we are mainly responsible for the rear axle steering and the electric steering pumps. The group is responsible for developing both hardware and software for rear axle steering and electric pumps.
Background and Motivation
Rear axle steering is used to improve the turning radius and to reduce the tire wear of the rear axles. It could further add value by improving the vehicle stability in split-μ braking situation.
Vehicle stability is a critical factor in ensuring safety during various driving conditions, particularly during braking. A split-μ braking situation, where the friction coefficient differs between the left and right wheels, poses a significant challenge for vehicle stability. This condition can lead to vehicle yaw, loss of control, and increased stopping distances, thereby increasing the risk of accidents. While modern vehicles are equipped with electronic stability control (ESC) systems to mitigate these risks, there remains substantial scope for improving their effectiveness with Rear Axle Steering.
Objectives/Content
Evaluate different control strategies that could be used to control the rear axle steering to improve the vehicle stability during split-μ braking situation. Volvo GTT has a well-developed vehicle model library (VTM models), the intention is to reuse the vehicle models that are already available.
• Develop simulation models of the control strategies in Simulink.
• The control logic then needs to be simulated with the vehicle model to evaluate and compare the different control strategies.
• Using simulation models, investigate how much improvement of stability, stopping distance is achieved with and without rear axle steering.
• Estimate using simulation models the responsiveness that is needed from rear axle steering system to achieve improvements in stability and braking distance in case of split friction braking.
Who are you
This topic is suitable for M.Sc Thesis project (30 ECTS) for 1-2 students (preferably 2 students).
You have an interest in vehicle dynamics and have knowledge in control theory, mathematical modeling and simulation.
We expect experience of using MATLAB/Simulink.
Hiring manager: Emma Heiwall, emma.heiwall@volvo.com
Thesis Mentor: Dawn Joy, dawn.joy.2@volvo.com
Last Application Date: 3rd October, 2025
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