The Vehicle Dynamics and NVH module provides students with an in-depth understanding, enabling critical evaluation and complex modelling of important systems related to all ground vehicles. It deals with all very important systems of any vehicle including but not limited to suspension system design and ride comfort analysis, steering system and handling performance, braking design and performance, tyre design and modelling, load transfer and acceleration performance. Students will use appropriate software to model and investigate complex and advanced dynamics and handling performance analysis of a vehicle. They will get a chance to read and analyse current research papers and journal articles within vehicle dynamics and automotive acoustics to develop critical analysis, evaluation and enable them to and present their findings.

The following topics give an indication of the content of this module:
• Introduction of Vehicle Dynamics
• Tyre Basics and Tyre Modelling
• Traction and Acceleration Performance
• Braking Design and Performance
• Noise, Vibration and Harshness Analysis
• Suspension System Design and Ride Analysis
• Steering System, Handling performance and Load (weight) transfer
• Introduction to Multi-body Dynamics (MBD) and Multi-body Simulation (MBS).
• Introduction to MATLAB/Simulink for Vehicle dynamics applications
• MATLAB /Simulink – Tutorials and Exercises
• Introduction to Research Paper review within Vehicle dynamics and performance

1. An individual report to include a technical literature review, and Vehicle Dynamics modelling and simulations. Meeting AHEP 4 Outcomes: M1, M2, M3, M4, M7 and M17

2. An examination. Meeting AHEP4 Outcomes: M1, M2

Professional Body requirements mean that a minimum overall score of 50% is required to pass a module, with each element of assessment requiring a minimum mark of 40% unless otherwise stated.

This module will enable students to gain deep understanding, advanced knowledge, critical, analytical and evaluation skills for problems solving and create solutions through a variety of activities, including formal lectures, laboratories-based activities, tutorials and software-based sessions, research seminar/guidance session and guided independent learning opportunities. Details are below.

Taught Lectures – covers a range of elements, i.e. from basic principles to tasks required to be completed for the same week

Tutorials – to complete weekly tasks, corresponding research, MATLAB/Simulink modelling

Independent study

Students will also be supported through Blackboard VLE and use of university library.

1. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge and a critical understanding of complex vehicle dynamics and NVH processes, including ride, handling, performance, tyres and traction, braking, NVH and vibration, and suspension design and analysis. (AHEP 4: M1, M2)

Knowledge & Understanding

2. Critically evaluate vehicle dynamics and handling using the appropriate latest techniques to achieve reliable results and compare these with published data. (AHEP 4: M3, M7)

Application & Problem Solving
Digital Literacy

3. Communicate effectively about the full investigation process(research, simulation,results analysis) and reflection to a diverse audience. (AHEP 4: M1, M2, M3, M17)

Communication
Reflection

4. Critically review and evaluate research articles within vehicle dynamics area. (AHEP 4: M4)

Research Skills

MATLAB/Simulink Package or equivalent

Finite element-based software (such as ABAQUS, ANSYS) capable of doing Tyre, Structural and Handling Analysis, Workshop and Testing facilities

Wong, J. Y., (2022). Theory of Ground Vehicles. 5th Ed. John Wiley & Sons.

Arenas, J. P. and Crocker, J., (2021). Engineering Acoustics: Noise and Vibration Control. 5th Ed. Wiley.

Gillespie, T. D., (2021). Fundamentals of Vehicle Dynamics. SAE.

Balkwill, J., (2018). Performance Vehicle Dynamics, Engineering and Applications. Butterworth-Heinemann. (This is the most recent prominent text in this area)

Barton, D. C. and Fieldhouse, J. D., (2018). Automotive Chassis Engineering. Springer. (This is the most recent prominent text in this area)

This module provides detailed study of the Vehicle Dynamics and NVH. It enables you to consider how such systems can be used to solve real-life problems in Automotive sector. Design and Analysis Case studies will be considered, and the applications of different systems implementation technologies will be discussed. Software based modelling and simulation techniques to enable the creation of complex vehicle dynamics systems will be studied. The module will also provide study skills for reviewing technical articles in the area of Vehicle Dynamics and NVH. Industry standard software will be used for detailed analysis and complex modelling and simulations during this module.