Title: The effects of vehicle design parameters on handling frequency response characteristics

Authors: J.M. Starkey

Addresses: Associate Professor School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West, Lafayette, IN 47907, USA

Abstract: The yaw-plane handling model is used to derive the yaw-rate and sideslip frequency response functions for a highway vehicle. These functions are second order with first order numerator terms. The dynamic parameters in these functions (time constants, steady-state gains, natural frequencies, and damping ratios) are derived in terms of vehicle design parameters (such as centre-of-gravity location, tyre cornering stiffness, and vehicle mass and inertia), and plotted versus vehicle speed. The relationship between these vehicle design parameters and the dynamic parameters are then discussed. The insight gained from this exercise should lead to better vehicle designs.

Keywords: damping; frequency response; vehicle handling; natural frequencies; steady-state gains; yaw-plane model; yaw rate; sideslip; vehicle design; vehicle speed; vehicle dynamics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1993.061850

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1993 Vol.14 No.5/6, pp.497 - 510

Published online: 28 May 2014 *

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