Supervisors: dr. ir. A.J.C. Schmeitz

English When developing modern control systems like anti-lock braking systems (ABS), traction control (TC), brake assistant (BAS) and electronic stability programs (ESP) to increase safety and comfort in vehi-cles, accurate tyre models are very important. Numerical simulation models are needed to predict the vehicle’s behaviour for various driving conditions. Testing facilities like the tyre measurement tower are needed to provide the necessary experimental data to validate these tyre models. The tyre measurement tower of the Dynamics and Control section of the TU Eindhoven, is already capable of simulating different situations, but it needs hydraulic actuators to subject the wheel to vertical vibra-tions and alternating steer angles. This report discusses the design of a vertical hydraulic actuator for the tyre measurement tower. A theoretical model of the hydraulic actuator and the measurement tower is developed, to determine what size of hydraulic cylinder is needed to fulfill the demands for good tyre measurement. This is done for a-symmetrical and symmetrical cylinder types. The size of these hydraulic cylinders limit the choice between servo valves, and this choice has a substantial effect on the dynamics of the total system. Some available hydraulic cylinders and servo valves ar