Vehicle dynamics

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 Chapter 3
One Dimensional Vehicle Dynamics
3. Forward Vehicle Dynamics

 Straight motion of an ideal rigid vehicle is the subject of this chapter.

 Air friction (air resistance) is ignored and examine the load variation under
the tires to determine the vehicle’s limits of acceleration, road grade, and
kinematic capabilities.
3.1 Parked Car on a Level Road

Figure 1: A parked car on level pavement

 Wheel base of the vehicle, l = a1 + a2

Con…………

When a car is parked on level pavement, the normal force, Fz , under each

of the front and rear wheels, Fz1 , Fz2, are:

where, a1 is the distance of the car’s mass center, C, from the front axle, a2 is
the distance of C from the rear axle, and l is the wheel base.
Con…………

Example 1: Reaction forces under wheels

A car has 890 kg mass. Its mass center, C, is 78 cm behind the front wheel
axis, and it has a 235cm wheel base.

Example 2: Mass center position

Reaction forces under the front and rear wheels of a horizontally parked car,
with a wheel base l = 2.34m, are:

Fz1 = 2000N and Fz2 = 1800N

Find the longitudinal position of the car’s mass center.

Con…………

Lateral mass center determination.

 Most cars are approximately symmetrical about the longitudinal center plane
passing the middle of the wheels, and therefore, the lateral position of the
mass center C is close to the center plane.

 However, the lateral position of C may be calculated by weighing one side of

the car.
3.2 Parked Car on an Inclined Road

Figure 2: A parked car on inclined pavement

Con…………
 Assume the parking brake forces are applied on only the rear tires. It means
the front tires are free to spin. Applying the planar static equilibrium
equations,

where, φ is the angle of the road with the horizon. The horizon is
perpendicular to the gravitational acceleration g.
Con…………

Example 3: Reaction forces under wheels

(a) Assume the parking brake forces are applied on only the front tires
(b) Assume the parking brake forces are applied on front and rear tires
Thank you!