LANDMARK UNIVERSITY, OMU-ARAN

COURSE COMPACT
COLLEGE: COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT: MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
PROGRAMME: MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
COURSE COMPACT: 2018/2019 ACADEMIC SESSION.
Course
Course code: MCE 538
Course title: AUTO SYSTEM AND VEHICLE DYNAMICS
Course Units: 3
Course status: OPTIONAL.
Lecturer Data
Name of the lecturer: Engr. Aliyu Samuel Jacob.
Qualifications obtained: M. Eng.
Department: Mechanical Engineering.
College: College of Engineering
E-mail: aliyu.samuel@lmu.edu.ng
Office Location: Room A 218. (New college Building)
Consultation Hours: Monday 10 – 12Noon; Friday 2 – 4pm.

INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE

Course Description:-

Introducing the students to aerodynamic forces, outlining the components associated to it.
The course will present students with the opportunity to learn the basic theoretical principles
in Vehicle Dynamics 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.
Course Justification:-

The course will introduce Auto System and Vehicle Dynamics and establish its relevance in
engineering applications.
Develop the fundamental principles underlying the subject.
Demonstrate how these are used for the design of simple engineering components.
With the wealth of sound, practical and theoretical knowledge, students can fit into
organisations handling production engineering projects. In addition, students can be change
agents pioneering such thermodynamic chances in their sphere of influence.
Course objectives
At the end of this course, students would be able to: acquire the ability to perform kinematic
and kinetic dynamic analysis, Finite Element Analysis, time and frequency domain
simulations of dynamics systems used in vehicles. It is to be noted that vehicle dynamics is a
complex subject that involves concept from design, system analysis, vehicle handling and
safety. In order to understand multi-body system approach to vehicle one has to consider
various subsystems such as steering, suspension, tires, chassis and so on.
  To introduced students to Auto System and Vehicle Dynamics.
 To enable each of the students to understand general aerodynamic effect on
automobiles.
 To understand the vehicle production and automation principle.
 To introduce equilibrium criteria.
 To introduce the students to the importance, significance and limitations of the
subject.

Course Content

Friction forces in Automobile systems; Drag and propelling forces; Effect of body shape on
vehicles. Production, assembly line and power systems control techniques. Principles of
automation in mechanized systems. Application of thermal, pneumatic, hydraulic and fluidic
systems to automatic control in plant processes and machinery.

Course Expectation

S/N GRADING SCORE (%)

1. Continuous Assessments

 C.A. I 7%
 C.A. II (Mid-semester)
15%
 C.A. III
8%

2. Final Examination 70%

3. Total 100

Course Delivery Strategies

Lecture and demonstration methods, one-on-one tutoring of the students and PowerPoint
presentation.
Course Duration: 15 weeks

Schedule for Lab-Practical Work.

Topic Topic Name Lab- Lab-Practical focused area.
NO Weeks
1 Forces acting on a 3 Distribution of forces in a vehicle.
vehicle

2 Automotive Suspension 5 Models of

Systems. (a) Front Suspension System.
(b) Rear Suspension System.
3 Automotive Steering 7 Models of
Systems. (a) Manual Steering Systems, e.g. Pitman –arm
steering, Rack & Pinion steering.
(b) Power steering Systems, e.g. Rack and Pinion
Power Steering System.
4 Automotive Brake 9 Models of
systems. (a) Hydraulic & Pneumatic Brake systems.
(b) Drum Brake System.
(c) Disk Brake System.
(d) Antilock Brake System.
5 Automotive Tyres & 11 Models of
wheels. (a) Various Types of Bias & Radial Tyres.
(b) Various Types of wheels.

LECTURE CONTENT
MODULE 1: VEHICLE DYNAMICS.
Week 1: Aerodynamic forces.
Objectives: At the end of the lecture for this week:
(i) Students should by the way of introduction know what
Aerodynamic forces stand for and what its regulations are.
(ii) Students should know the type of area application of the course in
real life which are required for a particular operation.
(iii) Students should understand the indebt theoretical (technical) knowledge of
the subject matter before embarking on the practical operation.

Description
First hour: Definition of importance, significance and limitations.
Second hour: Introduction of Aerodynamic forces.

Study Question: Explain, with illustration, the effect of aerodynamic forces acting
on a vehicle.

Week 2: Heat, Work and the System.

Objectives: The students at the end of the lectures for the week should be able to:-
(i) Know the type of terminologies of thermodynamics frequently
been used.
Description
First hour: Introducing the students to forms of energy transfer.
Second hour: Knowing type of medium transfer.
Study Question:
 1. Write, with an illustration, the roles of heat, work and the system
as applied to an engine.

MODULE 2: VEHICLE FORCES

Week 3: Forces acting on a vehicle.

Objectives: The students at the end of the lectures for the week should be able to:-

(i) Know more aspects of the course.

 Description
First hour: Introducing the students to Theory of inertia.
Second hour: Knowing Turning forces etc.

Study Question:
1. Define and explain ddistribution of forces in a vehicle.
Week 4: As in week three continue.
Objectives: The students at the end of the lectures for the week should be able to:-
(i) Know the dual-direction of working fluid in a system.

Description
First hour: Introducing the students to distribution of forces in a vehicle.
Second hour: Knowing the operations of Friction force. This will be done
experimentally in the laboratory.

Study Question:
1. What is friction force and illustrate how friction can be
reduced between the road wheels and the tyres.
MODULE 3: DYNAMIC MOTIONS

Week 5: Dynamics of linear motion.

Objectives: The students at the end of the lectures for the week should be able to:-
(i) Know the Total resistance to motion.
(ii) Know type Acceleration and deceleration.

Description
First hour: Introducing the topic along with laboratory experiment.
Second hour: Knowing the effect of acceleration and deceleration on a vehicle in
motion.
Study Question:
1. What do you understand by acceleration and deceleration; show by
a diagram.

Week 6: Dynamics of lateral motion.

Objectives: The students at the end of the lectures for the week should know:
(i) Introduction, fundamental principles of vehicle tires
performance, cornering characteristics and Mechanics of Vehicle
Terrain interaction.
 (ii) Know the Response to crosswinds.

Description:
First hour: Introduction of the Understeer and over steering.
Second hour: The Centrifugal force while cornering.

Study Question:
1. What do you understand by steering system?
2. Explain the effect of understeering and over steering on a vehicle.

Week 7: Week Six continues.

Objectives:
The students at the end of the lectures for the week should be able to:
(i) Know the Total resistance to motion.
(ii) Know type Acceleration and deceleration.
Description
First hour: Introducing the Centrifugal force while cornering.
Second hour: The above lecture continues.
Study Question:
1. Write short notes on manual and power steering systems.

MODULE 4: Braking systems effect on motion.

Week 8: Definitions.
Objectives: The students at the end of the lectures for the week should be able to:-

(i) Introduce the students to know the Braking sequence.

(ii) Know the Forces and torques.
Description

First hour: Definition of the Simple roll models.

Introduction and definitions of various types of braking systems.
Second hour: What is meant by the Yaw-Roll model.
Forces and torques acting on a vehicle. Workshop practical on braking systems.

Study Question:

1. Explain the components of braking system.

2. Explain three types of braking systems.

Week 9: Mid-semester Examination.

To examine students in what has been taught in the course so far and evaluate their
preparation towards the end of the semester examination.

MODULE 5: STEERING SYSTEM GEOMETRY.

Week 10: The Dynamics of vehicle rollovers.
Objectives: At the end of the lecture for this week:
As in week Nine
Description:

First Hour: Introducing the Students to the Quasi-Static rollover of rigid vehicle and what
is meant by the Yaw-Roll model.
Second Hour: Students should understand the Quasi-Static rollover of a suspended
vehicle and what is meant by Tripping.

Study Questions:
1. Illustrate the point at which a vehicle is said to be overturning.

Week 11: Steering Mechanisms. Two and three dimensional analysis. Mechanics
of Vehicle Terrain interaction.
Objectives: At the end of the lecture for this week:

(i) Students should know the activities Steering Components

and Requirements.
Description:
First Hour: Introducing the students to the uniqueness of Rack and Pinion Steering.
Second Hour: Knowing the effect of Lever Arm Steering System.
Study Questions:
1. List the maintenance requirements for one of the ‘active’ suspension
systems with which you are familiar.
2. What are the symptoms of faulty dampers? How will the driver notice
This problem? How should they be checked for correct operation?
Week 12: Automation fundamentals.
Objectives: At the end of the lecture for this week:
(i) Students should understand the three components of an automated system.
Description:
First Hour: Introducing the types of automation.
Second Hour: The above continue with more work examples.
Study Questions:
1. Explain the Principles of automation in mechanized systems.

MODULE 6: PRODUCTION LINES.

Week 13: Fundamentals of production lines and Automated Production Lines.
Objectives: At the end of the lecture for this week:
(i) Students should understand the process of methods of work transport.

Description:

First Hour: Introducing and knowing Manual Methods of Work Transport and the
Transfer Lines and Similar Processing Systems. .
Second Hour: Knowing the Mechanized Methods of Work Transport and Automated
Assembly Systems.

Study Questions:

1. Outline the difference between the Production, assembly line and power
systems control techniques.
Week 14: Revision.

Week 15: Examination

Objective:

(i) To examine the students on all that has been taught during the semester.

Reading List
1. Vehicle Dynamics Theory and Application”, by Reza Jazar. Springer 2008.
2. Theory of Ground Vehicles’. Third Edition. J.Y Wong. John Wiley.
3. Vehicle Stability”. Dean Karnopp. Dekker Technical Engineering.
4. Vehicle Dynamics, Handling and Simulation by M.H. Monish Gowda and Hima
Kiran Vithal V.
5. Tyre dynamics, tyre as a vehicle component by Joop P. Pauwelussen. et..al, 2007.
6. Fundamental of Vehicle Dynamics by Thomas D. Gillespie
7. Groover, Mikell P. 2010. Fundamentals of modern manufacturing: materials,
processes and systems, 4th ed.

HOD’s COMMENTS:_____ Approved for further processing ______________________

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___________________________________________________________________________
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Name: __ Dr. D. C. Uguru-Okorie ____ Signature: __ _ Date: 29 – 04 - 2018

DEAN’s
COMMENTS:_______________________________________________________

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Name: ________________________ Signature:______________ Date:___________