Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #199985 in Books
• Published on: 1992-12
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 519 pages

Synopsis
The first book providing comprehensive coverage of vehicle dynamics in a single volume. Fundamentals of Vehicle Dynamics provides a foundation of engineering principles and analytical methods to explain the performance of an automotive vehicle, with chapters focusing on: Acceleration performance Braking performance Aerodynamics and rolling resistance Ride Tires Steady-state cornering Suspensions Steering systems Rollover. Acceleration, braking, turning, and ride are among the most fundamental properties of a motor vehicle. To understand the vehicle as a system, it is necessary to acquire a knowledge of all these modes. Motion is the common denominator of all these modes; thus, the study of this field is denoted as vehicle dynamics. Fundamentals of Vehicle Dynamics introduces the basic mechanics governing vehicle performance, and familiarizes the reader with analytical methods and terminology.

This book attempts to find a middle ground by balancing engineering principles and equations of use to every automotive engineer with practical explanations of the mechanics involved, so that those without a formal engineering degree can still comprehend and use most of the principles discussed. Fundamentals of Vehicle Dynamics provides thorough coverage of these subjects: Fundamental Approach to Modeling Power-Limited Acceleration Braking Forces Anti-Lock Brake Systems Aerodynamics Rolling Resistance Vehicle Response Properties High-Speed Cornering Independent Suspensions Front Wheel Geometry Transient Rollover Dynamic Axle Loads Traction-Limited Acceleration Tire-Road Friction Rear-Wheel Lockup Drag Total Road Loads Vibration Solid Axles Roll Center Analysis Front Wheel Drive Tire Construction.

Customer Reviews

Excellent introductory book to vehicle dynamics
This book focuses on, well, the fundamentals of vehicle dynamics. The chapters are well organized and cover the subject adequately. Derivations of formulas are clear and mostly complete. Major sections include: acceleration performance, braking performance, road loads, ride, steady-state cornering, suspensions, steering systems, rollover, and tires. The chapter on ride has an excellent section on road roughness that I found very helpful.
There are a few faults: a number of the examples are difficult to follow because they do not provide adequate information. More information on how to derive gear inertias in the chapter on acceleration performance would have been helpful, for example. Perhaps coupled with an appendix on common car data. In addition, it is a book that you will have to spend a significant amount of time thinking about in order to understand it. Much is implied in some of the explanations without being explicitly stated. I would also have preferred a more complete treatment of slip angles in the chapter on cornering; the book only covers the linear model.