PDF versionModule Leader
Lecturers
Lab Leader
Timing and Structure
Lent term. 13 lectures + 2 examples classes + coursework
Prerequisites
3C5 and 3C6 useful
Aims
The aims of the course are to:
- introduce the forces generated by rolling wheels;
- show how these forces affect the lateral stability and steady cornering behaviour of road and railway vehicles;
- introduce some simple mathematical models and performance criteria for vehicle vibration;
- show how vehicle suspension parameter values can be tuned to optimise vibration performance;
- review vehicle suspension technology;
Objectives
As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:
- understand steady state creep forces and moments in rolling contact and be able to calculate them using the 'brush' model for a variety of simple cases;
- derive the equations of motion of a simple automobile and understand the basic concepts of automobile handling and lateral stability;
- derive the equations of motion of a two-axle rigid railway bogie and to understand the implications for the steady cornering and stability of railway vehicles;
- derive the equations of motion of simple vehicle models and calculate the vibration responses;
- understand the trade-offs involved in suspension design;
- explain the influence of vehicle and road parameters on vehicle vibration behaviour.
Content
Introduction (1L) Prof. D Cebon and Dr D J Cole
Vehicle dynamics (6L) (Prof. D Cebon)
- Introduction to the creep forces and moments generated by rolling wheels, using the 'brush' model.
- Steady state and transient response of a simple automobile model to steering and side force inputs.
- Introduction to understeer, oversteer, and handling diagrams.
- Stability and cornering of a single railway wheelset and a two-axle railway bogie.
Vehicle vibration (6L) (Dr D J Cole)
- Introduction to random vibration, description of road surface roughness.
- Performance criteria.
- Quarter-car model of vehicle vibration, natural modes, conflict diagrams.
- Pitch-plane model, natural modes, wheelbase filtering, suspension tuning.
- Roll-plane model, lateral tyre behaviour, parallel road profiles.
- Vehicle suspension technology.
Further notes
ASSESSMENT
Lecture Syllabus/Written exam (1.5 hours) - Start of Easter Term/75%
Coursework/Laboratory Report - End of Lent Term/25%
Examples papers
Examples paper 1, vehicle dynamics, issued in lecture 1.
Examples paper 2, vehicle vibration, issued in lecture 8.
Coursework
| Coursework | Format |
Due date & marks |
|---|---|---|
|
One laboratory experiment on behaviour of vehicle tyres, to be performed in pairs, essentially unsupervised. An online booking sheet will offer a wide range of possible times at which the experiment may be performed. A normal laboratory write-up is to be prepared, which will be assessed for the coursework credit. The aim of this experiment is to investigate, qualitatively and quantitatively, the characteristics of a model tyre under a variety of operating conditions. Although the model tyre is not dimensionally similar to a real tyre and is made of solid silicone rubber, it displays many of the important characteristics of road and railway wheels. Learning objectives:
|
Individual Report anonymously marked |
Put in the coursework post box outside room BE3-39 before the feedback lecture. [15/60] |
Booklists
Please refer to the Booklist for Part IIB Courses for references to this module, this can be found on the associated Moodle course.
Examination Guidelines
Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.
UK-SPEC
This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:
Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.
Last modified: 01/09/2020 10:31