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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 see the Booklist for Group C Courses for references for this module.
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.
GT1
Develop transferable skills that will be of value in a wide range of situations. These are exemplified by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority Higher Level Key Skills and include problem solving, communication, and working with others, as well as the effective use of general IT facilities and information retrieval skills. They also include planning self-learning and improving performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD.
IA1
Apply appropriate quantitative science and engineering tools to the analysis of problems.
IA2
Demonstrate creative and innovative ability in the synthesis of solutions and in formulating designs.
KU1
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, theories and principles of their engineering discipline, and its underpinning science and mathematics.
KU2
Have an appreciation of the wider multidisciplinary engineering context and its underlying principles.
E1
Ability to use fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging technologies.
E2
Ability to extract data pertinent to an unfamiliar problem, and apply its solution using computer based engineering tools when appropriate.
E3
Ability to apply mathematical and computer based models for solving problems in engineering, and the ability to assess the limitations of particular cases.
E4
Understanding of and ability to apply a systems approach to engineering problems.
P1
A thorough understanding of current practice and its limitations and some appreciation of likely new developments.
P3
Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).
US1
A comprehensive understanding of the scientific principles of own specialisation and related disciplines.
US3
An understanding of concepts from a range of areas including some outside engineering, and the ability to apply them effectively in engineering projects.
US4
An awareness of developing technologies related to own specialisation.
Last modified: 24/05/2019 14:17