EIDGENOSSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE (ETH)

SWISS FEDERAL INTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, ZURICH

INSTITUTE FOR DYNAMC SYSTEMS AND CONTROL

Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering

VEHICLE DYNAMICS AND DESIGN

Spring Semester 2010

SYLLABUS

DESCRIPTION:
The course will present students with the opportunity to learn the basic
theoretical principles in Vehicle Dynamics and Design combined with
a practical approach-using computer aided techniques that will allow
students to build and analyze vehicle dynamics and mechatronics
systems used in vehicles using computer models for analysis and
design. The course will cover a variety of topics such as study of tires,
drive train and gear boxes in ground vehicles. Kinematics of linkages
for analysis of position, velocity and acceleration in two and three
dimensions with applications to mechanisms, suspensions and steering
mechanisms. Vehicle Dynamics using multibody systems in three
dimensions. Computer models of vehicles using solid models and
dynamic models. Use of computer simulation techniques for
multibodies and multi energy systems consisting of vehicle electro-
mechanical and hydraulic systems. Computer models and simulation
of vehicle collisions and rollovers, failure analysis, finite element
models (FEA).

INSTRUCTOR: Prof. Dr. José J. Granda

Office: ETH Zurich, ML K 42.1
Email: grandajj@ecs.csus.edu
Or jose.granda@idsc.mavt.ethz.ch

OFFICE HOURS: Wednesdays 1:00 – 2:00 pm. or by appointment

TIME and PLACE: 10:00 -12:00 p.m. Lecture ML H43

14:00-16:00 p.m. Exercises ML K31

OBJECTIVES: The course will provide the student with analytical and computer skills
that will allow students to analyze and design two and three
dimensional components and entire working assemblies. Train
students so that they can acquire the ability to perform kinematic and
kinetic dynamic analysis, Finite Element Analysis, time and frequency
domain simulations of dynamics systems used in vehicles.
BOOKS AND REFERENCES:
- “Vehicle Dynamics Theory and Application”, by Reza Jazar.
Springer 2008.
- “Theory of Ground Vehicles’. Third Edition. J.Y Wong. John
Wiley
- “Vehicle Stability”. Dean Karnopp. Dekker
echanicalEngineering
- “Modeling and Simulation of Mechatronics Systems” Karnopp,
Margolis, Rosenberg, Wiley 2007.
- “ SOLIDWORKS” User’s manual
- “WORKING MODEL 2D” Users manual
- “CAMPG” User’s Manual
- “Nastran4D” User’s Manual
- “MATLAB/SIMULINK” User’s manuals

CLASS WEB PAGE Some course documents will be posted on the internet or tranfered
to students.

CLASS NOTES: Students are responsible to take their own notes. The student should
not rely only on class notes but rather your are expected to study
independently the assigned reading assignments and homework
following the schedule. Students are responsible for ALL material
presented in class. This includes any announcements, changes or
clarifications made in class as well as the due dates.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS TO BE GAINED FROM THIS COURSE

Analytical and computer skills that will allow students to:

1) Understand the behaviour of vehicle systems and subsystems,

tires, drive train, gear boxes
2) Understand vehicle dynamics for use in design and performance
of ground vehicles.
3) Use analysis and techniques learned in solid modeling and basic
dynamics to develop computer models of linkages and complete
working assemblies in two and three dimensions.
4) Transform solid models into models of vehicles for analysis of
kinematics, (velocities and accelerations), kinetics (forces and
moments).
5) Perform simulations of rigid multi-body assemblies and
calculation of loads, dynamic forces, energy and momentum in
two and three dimensions.
6) Vehicle parts and assemblies under impulsive impact forces and
collisions. Simulations using dynamic Finite Element Analysis
under dynamic loads.
7) Study of electromechanical and hydraulic systems used on
vehicles applying multi energy simulation methodologies such
as Bond Graph modeling
8) Apply the concepts of vibrations to the design of vehicles.
COMPUTER USAGE: Computers are used for writing reports (WORD) and
presentations (PowerPoint). Spreadsheets are used as appropriate in
doing multiple trade studies. Computational tools such:
SOLIDWORKS (Three Dimensional solid modeling), WORKING
MODEL 2D (Mechanisms dynamic analysis), NASTRAN4D (Three
dimensional multibody analysis and design), ADAMS (Vehicle design
software), CAMPG (Computer Modeling Program for Dynamic
Systems), MATLAB (Simulation in time and frequency domain, state
space models, transfer factions, SIMULINK (Block Diagrams,
control).

COURSE GRADING:
Quizzes/Exams .................... 40%
Homework Assignments ..... 10%
Computer assignments ........ 30%
Term Vehicle Design Project.. 10%
Final Exam ......................... 10%
_____
100%

Exams and assignments will be graded balancing the procedure used

and the correctness of your answer on an equal basis. Presentation
and organization of your assignments will also be considered in
grading. There will be Quizzes approximately one to two weeks
apart, including the last week of class. Quizzes and final exam will
be closed book exams.

HOMEWORK, COMPUTER ASSIGNMENTS:

Reading and/or homework assignments will be assigned every week
establishing due dates. When not specifically specified, assignments
will be due in one week after assigned.

EXAMINATIONS:
There will be quizzes and exams. These will be announced to cover
specific topics of the course. The final exam will be administered
in accordance with the University scheduled time.

.
 VEHICLE DYNAMICS AND DESIGN COURSE CONTENTS

WEEK THEORETICAL TOPICS PRACTICE TOPICS

1. Introduction, fundamental principles. vehicle tires Introduction to Working

performance, cornering characteristics Model 2D
Mechanics of Vehicle Terrain interaction. Tire models

2. Vehicle Kinematics. Fundamental principles of Two dimensional

mechanisms and vehicle
velocity, acceleration. Two dimensional mechanisms.
Forward Vehicle Dynamics analysis.
Working Model 2D
3. Introduction to Vehicle
Three dimensional Mechanisms. Multi-Body Systems Design using
Design. Introduction to 3D vehicle design SOLIDWORKS.
Mechanisms, Door, Auto
Body.
Introduction to
NASTRAN4D
4. Suspension Design. CAMP-G, MATLAB,
Computer models using Bond Graph technology SIMULINK, suspensions

Simulations
5. Vehicle vibrations principles . Seat Belt Design Seat Belt, Bumper Design
Mathematical Models computer models

Compueter models using

6. Drive train dynamics, vehicle perfomance CAMPG,
MATLAB/SIMULINK
,
Steering mechanisms analysis
Steering Mechanisms. Two and three dimensional and design
7. analysis. Mechanics of Vehicle Terrain interaction. Working Model 2D,
Nastran4D.

Vehicle Collitions. Fundamental laws of motion, Computer models for the

8. energy and momentum Forces and Moments 2D and calculations of impact forces.
3D
Two and Three dimensional
9. The Dynamics of vehicle rollovers computer models of real
situations
10. Finite Element Modeling (FEA) and failure analysis Stress, deformation
calculations. NASTRAN4D
11. Handling Characteristics of Road Vehicles Individual Groups Vehicle
Design
12. Introduction to the ADAMS Vehicle Design Groups and Individual
Software Vehicle Design Project
 VEHICLE DYNAMICS AND DESIGN COURSE CONTENTS
(Continuation)

WEEK THEORETICAL TOPICS PRACTICE TOPICS

13. Aerospace Vehicles. Same technology as ground Groups and Individual

vehicles Space Shuttle, Space Station Vehicle Design Project

14. Indivicual groups final Project Presentations.