Simulation of suspension systems by the finite element method
by E.A. Kamar, A. El-Zafarany, R.A. Cookson
International Journal of Vehicle Design (IJVD), Vol. 9, No. 4/5, 1988

Abstract: A new technique has been developed for the formalism of complex suspension systems. The technique is based on Newton's second law and employs the Finite Element Method (FEM) as an analytical tool, allowing the inclusion of holomonic and nonholomonic constraints. Reduction of the resulting system of differential equations to the minimum size has been achieved by the introduction of a relationship between the various types of coordinate system. The resulting reduced system of differential equations has been attempted by various numerical methods, namely, the Lagrangian weighted residual method, the Hermitian weighted residual method, the Runge-Kutta method with constant time step, and the Runge-Kutta method with variable time step and controlled relative error. A three-dimensional vehicle is employed as an example and is modelled using the present approach to explain, step-by-step, the basic philosophy behind the technique. Response of the resulting model to an arbitrary or a harmonic terrain profile is presented. Further results arising from a computer package illustrating the capabilities of the technique in modelling a wide range of suspension systems are given.

Online publication date: Mon, 26-May-2014

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