The vehicle system
The vehicle-user interface. Driving systems: driveline, steering, brakes, suspension, tyres. User appreciation: active safety, driveability, comfort. Reference systems.
Aerodynamics
Aerodynamic forces on the vehicle. Aerodynamic resistance and lift. Internal aerodynamics.
Theory of vibration: a review
The mass-spring-damper system. Systems with one or more degrees of freedom. Non-linear systems: modelling and integration.
Ride
Road profile characterization. Vehicle modelling: quarter car model. The targets: comfort, tyre vertical force, working space. Dampers. Half car model.
The tyre
Introduction to the structure of the pneumatic tyre. Longitudinal slip. Slip angle. Self-aligning moment. Linear and non-linear models. Pacejka’s Magic Formulae. Test systems.
Performance
Performance evaluation and user appreciation. Top speed and acceleration. Gear ratios. Fuel consumption: driving cycles. Braking.
Handling
Understeer and oversteer. Steering pad and understeer characteristics. Bike model. Load transfer. The transient behaviour: step steer. Frequency response.
Suspension and steering systems
Suspension layouts. Typical parameters and their effects. The roll centre. Anti-dive systems. Elastic mountings. Multi-link systems. Steering geometry.