Coursecode: wb3400
Coursename: Automotive Vehicles

DUT creditpoints: 2
ECTS creditpoints: 3

Subfaculty of Mechanical Engineering and Marine Technology
Lecturer(s): dr.ir. A.R. Savkoor Tel.: 015-2785496
Catalog data: automotive vehicles, usage, design , construction, packaging, ergonomics, performance mechanics, tire to road contact, aerodynamics, transmission, steering and brakes, dynamic performance, fuel consumption, active and passive safety, environmental aspects. Course year: 4
Period: 0/0/2/2
Hours p/w: 2
Other hours: 3
Assessment: Written assignments followed by an oral examination.
Assessm.period(s): Flexible
(see academic calendar)
Prerequisites: Basic courses in mechanics and preferably also in thermodynamics
Follow up: wb3404A and wb3404B for students specialising in vehicle engineering.
Detailed description of topics:
  • 1-2: Usage,requirements and hostorical background: Various apects of usage: social, economical and techical aspects; boundary conditions: infrastructure, environment, driver, energy, recycling; vehicle classification.
  • 3-4 General design aspects: Layout, configuration, styling, in relation to vision, safety, space utilisation, ergonomics, packaging, performance, aerodynamic shaping and comfort; functional aspects of components.
  • 5-6 Mechanics of vehicles and tires: Powerflow and forces in vertical and longitudinal directions; tyres, construction and properties, rolling and sliding friction; rubber compounds, forces in tyre/road contact.
  • 7-8 Vehicle performance: Forces resisting motion, vehicle aerodynamics, power requirements, characteristics of powerplants, I.C engines, thermodynamical aspects, transmission, cruising and gradient performance, dynamics of cruising, accelerationa and braking, fuel consumption.
  • 9-10 Vehicle ride , active and passive safety: Ride comfort,, road holding, suspension, dynamics of cornering and braking, handling, yaw stability, active safety, collisions and occupant protection for passive safety.
  • 11-12 Operation and design of vehicle components: IC engine, clutch, fluid coupling, torque convertor, gear-box, automatic transmission, cvt, steering and braking systems, impact of new technological developments.
Course material:
Lecture notes, Reader
References from literature:
Books and journal articles on vehicle engineering mentioned in the readers.
Remarks (specific information about assesment, entry requirements, etc.):
Oral examination 1-2 weeks after submission of the written assignments (by appointment).
Goals:
Introduction to road vehicle design and dynamic performance (of the vehicle as whole and its components) in the context of social, infrastructural and engineering requirements. The academic aim is to refresh, integrate and to extend the knowledge acquired in basic courses in mechanics, mathematics and thermodynamics in order to understand and appreciate how vehicles are design and engineered.
Computer use:
Encouraged where applicable
Laboratory project(s): none
Design content:
Overall design methodology and component design.
Percentage of design:
Methodology 50%, Detailed design 20%.