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2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

MECH3470 Vehicle Design and Analysis

20 creditsClass Size: 200

Module manager: Dr Peter Brooks
Email: p.c.brooks@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisites

MECH2610Engineering Mechanics
MECH2620Vibration and Control

Module replaces

MECH 3165

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- explain the principles that underpin the process of vehicle modelling
- demonstrate an understanding of tyre behaviour and the generation of tyre-ground forces
- critically assess the acceleration behaviour of a road vehicle through consideration of its powertrain characteristics
- critically assess the deceleration behaviour of a road vehicle through consideration of its braking system characteristics
- understand the fundamentals of vehicle handling behaviour and relate these to the process of vehicle design.

Skills outcomes
- Specific skills in automotive engineering regarding vehicle mechanics, acceleration and deceleration behaviour and handling.
- Some of these skills are generic to other areas of mechanical engineering.


Syllabus

1 Vehicle mechanics:
- Modelling philosophy and coordinate systems
- Road surfaces and tyre-ground interaction
- Axle loads.

2 Acceleration behaviour:
- Powertrain elements and their characteristics
- Traction and power limited performance
- Fuel economy.

3 Deceleration behaviour:
- Brake system components and their characteristics
- Brake proportioning, efficiency and adhesion utilisation
- Governing standards and legislation.

4 Handling behaviour:
- Handling performance criteria
- The mathematical modelling of vehicle handling, straight line stability and cornering behaviour
- Practical suspension system design for handling and the trade-off with ride.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Example Class182.0036.00
Class tests, exams and assessment12.002.00
Class tests, exams and assessment21.002.00
Lecture361.0036.00
Tutorial61.006.00
Private study hours118.00
Total Contact hours82.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

- Students are expected to read/revise material before and following lectures along with example sheets that are linked to each element of the module.
- In addition, they are expected to complete the example MCQ tests that are issued 2 weeks in advance of the in-class tests. Worked solutions for the example MCQ tests are made available one week in advance of the in-class test.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Students receive feedback half way through and at the end of semester 1 from the results of the two in-class MCQ tests.
- They can also obtain feedback on their understanding of key material through the example sheets, class based tutorials and assignment.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
In-course MCQDeceleration10.00
In-course MCQAcceleration10.00
AssignmentHandling20.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)40.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated


Exams
Exam typeExam duration% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)2 hr 60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)60.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 31/03/2016

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