Purpose: Development of a computational model of stress-strain state bearing elements of trailer frames for preliminary assessment and identification of areas with increased risk of failure. Design/methodology/approach: The object of the study is the processes of loading the load-bearing metal structures of trailers - fertilizer spreaders. The stress-strain state of the spreader bearing system is investigated for the established three typical cases of external load. To refine the values obtained as a result of modelling, they were determined in SOLIDWORKS. Findings: Computational models of load have been compiled by improving the method of minimum potential deformation energy for its effective correct use in analytical studies of a similar type of metal structures. It is proved that for a flat closed frame structure made of thin-walled profiles, loaded with forces perpendicular to the plane of the frame, the levelling of compression and shear energies, as well as axial and transverse forces and bending moments in the horizontal plane does not significantly affect the calculation results. Research limitations/implications: Horizontal components of the shear forces as well as the normal forces and as a consequence the corresponding potential deformation energy are neglected, which has some effect on the accuracy of the calculations. Practical implications: An effective tool for strength analysis with preliminary assessment and diagnostics of load-bearing metal structures based on the constructed calculation models of stress strain state load-bearing frames of typical geometry with an arbitrarily given distribution of external load. Originality/value: A universal algorithm for recording additive functions of bending and torques, as well as the potential deformation energy of welded frames of trailers.

The objective of the article is to determine the transverse stability indexes of hinge-connected buses (HCBs) by applying the computation-analytical method. The transverse stability parameters of hybrid buses with active trailers are analysed. Based on these parameters (the angles of the roll and redistribution of loads on the sides), the analytical dependences are developed. The dependences describe the movement of the parts of HCBs in the vertical plane. Considering the action of longitudinal and transverse forces, the roll angles of the bus and the trailer were determined. The limiting angle of the side roll of the bus rollover was found to be амах = 27.56 0 мах, and the trailer rollover to be амах = 30.21 0. The obtained transverse stability indexes of HCBs with a hybrid power plant testify to the compliance with the standard DSTU UN/ECE R 111-00.

The processes of corrosion-fatigue failure of materials in contact with mineral fertilizers are insufficiently studied. As a result of joint influence of atmospheric corrosion and mechanical loads, about 70 to 80 % of machine parts get out of order, 20 to 25 % of which are failures caused by operating overload due to the strength loss because of atmospheric corrosion. A large part of metal structures of agricultural vehicles used to transport mineral fertilizers is under the direct influence of aggressive environments and dynamic loads that occur during the motion by field roads. Saturated solutions of the most aggressive working environments used in agricultural production, in particular ammonium sulphate and nitrophosphate are investigated to reduce fatigue resistance of ordinary steels groups – St3 and St5 and quality steels – 10 Steel, 15 Steel, 20 Steel, 25 Steel when loaded at all levels. The fatigue endurance limit decreases in comparison with air up to 2.02 times in a solution of ammonium sulphate, and to 2.32 times in a solution of nitrophosphate. In organic fertilizer environments, compared to distilled water, the conditional fatigue endurance limit increased to 9 %. The properties of the given materials as an inhibitor of corrosion-fatigue failure were discovered and proved.

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It has been shown that a perspective type of passenger transport is a metro bus, which can be both two-and three-link. Mathematical model of an autotrain has been developed for a two-link metrobus with both an uncontrolled and a controlled trailer, with the help of which it is established that the speed of the metro bus is 10 m/s, the angular speed of links racking, lateral acceleration, the angles of axle wheels' diversion while manoeuvring of "steering wheel jerk" "Shift" and "turn" have a fading nature of oscillation, which ensures the stability of its motion. At the same time, the value of lateral accelerations in the center of masses of metrobus separate links with an uncontrolled trailer at a speed of 15 m/s, while performing various manoeuvres do not exceed 0.45 g, according to this characteristics, such metrobus is stable, instead of a metrobus with a controlled trailer, which at this speed loses its stability. This should be considered when developing the advanced two-link metrobus of increased overall length (24 m).