Study Programmes 2015-2016
MECA0004-3  
Vehicles performances ans behaviour
Duration :
30h Th, 12h Pr, 6h Labo., 12h Proj.
Number of credits :
Master in electro-mechanical engineering (120 ECTS)5
Master in electro-mechanical engineering (120 ECTS)5
Master in mechanical engineering (120 ECTS)5
Lecturer :
Pierre Duysinx
Language(s) of instruction :
French language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the second semester
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
The characteristics of ground vehicles may be described in terms of its performances, handling, and ride. Performance charactristics refer to its ability to accelerate, decelerrate, to develop drawbar pull, and to overcome obstacles. Handling quantities are concerned with the response of the vehicle to drivers' command and its ability to stabilize its motion against external disturbancies. Ride characteristics are related to the vibration of the vehicle excited by the surface irregularities and its effects on passengers and goods.
The lecture is mainly focussed on road vehicles, but introduction is also given to railway vehicles.
The following points will be adressed:
  • Power source characteritics (Internal combustion engines, electric motors) transmissions and drivetrains,
  • Road resistance forces: rolling resistance, aerodynamic forces, slope forces,
  • Description and modelling of tire-ground and wheel-rail forces,
  • Description and calculation of performance criteria (maximum speed, acceleration, elasticity, etc.),
  • Fuel consumption and emissions measures, driving cycles, experimental testings,
  • Braking performance,
  • Tire mechanics,
  • Steering geometry (Ackerman theory)
  • Steady state handling of a two-axle vehicle: bicycle model, under/oversteer gradient,
  • Transient reponse of a two-axle vehicle
  • Roll-over,
  • Human response to vibrations,
  • Road vibration isolation: quater car model, sensitivity to sprung and unsprung masses, suspension damping and stiffness,
  • Pitch and bounce modelling: two-dof-model,
  • Introduction to crash mechanics and accident mechanics
Learning outcomes of the course :
  • To master the fundamental concepts of vehicles when evaluating their characteristics (performance, handling, ride) and their relationships with the design variables under various operating conditions.
  • To be able to understand the theoretical concepts and to apply them in numerical exercices.
  • To be able to write a computer code to calculate the performance and the dynamic behaviour of a raod vehicle at the preliminary design stage.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
Knowledge in Theoretical Mechanics, Machine Design and Construction, Vibration of Mechanical Systems, Control Systems, Applied Thermodynamics.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
Closed-form exercices, computer exercices (MATLAB), laboratory (chassis dynamometer).
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
The lectures are given on Friday morning at the second quadrimester (from beginning of February to end of May). 13 lectures (4 hours) + one laboratorie. Exam in June.
Recommended or required readings :
Lecture notes
  • Copy of slides (in English)
  • Text book (in French)

Reference books (in English):

  • T. Gillespie. AA« Fundamentals of vehicle Dynamics AA», 1992, Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
  • W. Milliken & D. Milliken. AA« Race Car Vehicle Dynamics AA», 1995, Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
  • R. Bosch. AA« Automotive Handbook AA». 5th edition. 2002. Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
  • J.Y. Wong. AA« Theory of Ground Vehicles AA». John Wiley & sons. 1993 (2nd edition) 2001 (3rd edition).
  • G. Genta."Motor Vehicle Dynamics. Modeling and Simulation". World Scientific. 1997.
Assessment methods and criteria :
  • Oral exam (theory: 40 %)
  • Wirtten examen (exercices: 30%)
  • Laboratory reports (10%)
  • Computer work (20%)
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
None
Contacts :
Pierre Duysinx,
LTAS - Automotive Engineering
Institute of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, Building B52
Chemin des chevreuils, 1, 4000 Liège
Téléphone : +32 4 366 9194,
Fax : +32 4 366 9159,
Email : P.Duysinx@ulg.ac.be
Items online :
Course web site
Course web site