MECA0525-1

Duration

30h Th, 15h Pr, 4h Labo., 8h Proj., 1d FW

Number of credits

	Master of Science (MSc) in Mechanical Engineering (EMSHIP+, Erasmus Mundus)	5 crédits
	Certificate in sustainable automotive engineering	5 crédits

Lecturer

Mustapha Belhabib, Pierre Duysinx

Coordinator

Pierre Duysinx

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit 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: including bicycle model, under/oversteer gradient,
Influence of roll, load transfer, camber, roll steer, suspension compliance, front wheel traction
Transient reponse of a two-axle vehicle
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 learning unit

To master the fundamental concepts of vehicle performance when evaluating their characteristics (performance, handling, ride) and their relationships with the design variables under various operating conditions.
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, hybrid learning)

The lectures are given on Thursday morning at the second quadrimester (from beginning of February to end of May). 13 lectures (4 hours) + one laboratorie. Exam in June.

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

Any session :

- In-person

oral exam

- Remote

oral exam

- If evaluation in "hybrid"

preferred in-person

Additional information:

Oral exam (theory: 60%). Students can handle hand-written templates of their answers to the questions covering the matter of the course.
Laboratory reports (5%)
Computer work (35%)

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

None

Contacts

Pierre Duysinx, LTAS - Automotive Engineering Institute of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, Building B52 Allée de la Découverte 13A, 4000 Liège Téléphone : +32 4 366 9194, Fax : +32 4 366 9159, Email : P.Duysinx@uliege.be

Performance and dynamics of vehicles