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ME30067: Vehicle dynamics

[Page last updated: 03 August 2022]

Academic Year: 2022/23
Owning Department/School: Department of Mechanical Engineering
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: EX 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Examination (EX 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: After taking this unit the student should be able to:
* Describe and analyse the operation of a vehicle suspension and predict vehicle ride behaviour and steady state handling performance.
* Explain the physical principles of road vehicle aerodynamic design.

Aims: To give the student an appreciation of factors affecting vehicle dynamics, including ride comfort and handling.

Skills: Numeracy; problem solving; working independently.

Content: Disturbance and sensitivity.
Basic suspension systems.
System frequencies - bounce, pitch and roll.
Tyre behaviour. Front/rear suspensions - Springs and dampers.
Roll centres.
Load Transfer. Steady State handling characteristics.
Motorcycle Dynamics
Active Suspensions
Electronic Stability Control
Aerodynamic Design.

Programme availability:

ME30067 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Mechanical Engineering
  • UEME-AFB47 : BEng(Hons) Mechanical with Automotive Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEME-AKB47 : BEng(Hons) Mechanical with Automotive Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UEME-AFM47 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical with Automotive Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEME-AKM47 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical with Automotive Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)

ME30067 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering
  • UEXX-AFB02 : BEng(Hons) Integrated Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEXX-AKB02 : BEng(Hons) Integrated Mechanical and Electrical Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UEXX-AFM02 : MEng(Hons) Integrated Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEXX-AKM02 : MEng(Hons) Integrated Mechanical and Electrical Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)
Department of Mechanical Engineering
  • UEME-AFM16 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering (Year 4)
  • UEME-AKM16 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 5)
  • UEME-AFM38 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing and Management (Year 4)
  • UEME-AKM38 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing and Management with Year long work placement (Year 5)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2022/23 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2023/24 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2022/23.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.