The University of Akron

Department of Mechanical Engineering

4600:432/532, Vehicle Dynamics Fall 2018, 3 Credits, T, Th

Location: Schrank S 112 4:15 - 5:30 p.m. (801)
5:45 - 7:00 p.m. (802)
Instructor
Dr. J.D. Walter
Office: ASEC 310A
Phone: (330) 972-7289
E-mail: walterj@uakron.edu; jdwalte1@aol.com
Course Description
Application of Newtonian mechanics to road vehicles. Tire-vehicle interactions. Vehicle
performance characteristics, handling, stability, ride and vibration. Public policy issues.
Instructor’s Goals
Introduce senior engineering students and/or first year graduate students to road
vehicle dynamics emphasizing engineering fundamentals applied to basic automotive
problems, current public policy issues and design challenges involving cars and trucks.

Learning Objectives
 Be able to derive and solve equations of motion for road vehicles.
 Be able to estimate and use realistic values of vehicle, tire, and road properties to
predict and/or explain highway performance.

Prerequisites by Topic
 Dynamics — kinematics and kinetics of particles and rigid bodies.
 Differential Equations — linear and nonlinear.
 Vibrations — single and multiple degree of freedom systems.

Texts (On Reserve/Science Library)

 Theory of Ground Vehicles, J.Y. Wong, Wiley, 2008, Fourth Edition (strongly
recommended).
 Fundamentals of Vehicle Dynamics, T.D. Gillespie, Society of Automotive
Engineers, 1992 (strongly recommended).
 Aerodynamics of Road Vehicles, W.H. Hucho, SAE, 1998, Fourth Edition.
 Class notes will supplement the required text and comprise about 50% of lecture
material.

1
 Topics Lectures

1. Performance Analysis of Road Vehicles (Class Notes & Wong, Chap. 3) 9

a) Mechanics/Dynamics Review
b) Equations of Accelerated/Decelerated Motion
c) Road Loads (Aero and Tire Drag)
d) Longitudinal Slip Properties of Tires
e) Traction Limited vs. Power Limited Vehicle Performance
f) Vehicle Braking

2. The Tire as a Vehicle Component (Class Notes & Wong, Chap. 1) 6

a) Hydroplaning and Traveling Waves
b) Rolling Resistance
c) Force and Moment Characteristics
d) Cornering (Lateral) Response
e) Tire and Vehicle Transients

3. Vehicle Handling and Stability Characteristics (Wong, Chap. 5) 10

a) Steering Geometry
b) Steady State Handling
c) Transient Response Behavior
d) Testing for Handling Characteristics
e) Directional Stability Analysis
f) Rollover
g) 4-Wheel Steer
h) Tractor-Semitrailer Handling

4. Vehicle Ride and Vibration Characteristics (Wong, Chap. 7) 4

a) Suspension Geometry
b) Human Response to Vibration
c) Testing for Ride Characteristics
d) Vehicle Ride Models

5. Technical Appraisal of Public Policy Issues (Class Notes) 1

a) Highway Safety
b) Fuel Economy Standards
c) Environmental Concerns
d) Product Liability

Grading
25% Homework Problems (including Performance Calculation)
25% Test 1
25% Test II
25% Semester Report or Design Project