Effect of suspension spring stiffness on vehicle dynamics

Martin Centurion, Zhiwen Liu, Gregory J. Steckman, George Panotopoulos, John Hong, Demetri Psaltis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Vehicle suspension systems and suspension working space are of great interest to designers and researchers of road vehicles. This paper deals with an investigation into the influence of suspension spring stiffness on vehicle dynamics. A mathematical model of a quarter vehicle for twin spring, passive and active suspension systems is developed. These systems are compared in terms of their relative performance capabilities. The vehicle itself is treated as a rigid body undergoing vertical motions. Also, a longitudinal half vehicle model for passive suspension is used to investigate the effect of front and rear spring stiffness on the vehicle dynamics. A chassis dynamometer was used to perform the experimental work. The predicted results were compared with experimental measurements. The experimental and theoretical results obtained indicate that the mathematical model produces optimistic results for the vertical direction of body acceleration and suspension working space. The effect of using active suspension elements to obtain improved ride is discussed. The results obtained give a solution to the vehicle dynamics problem and show optimum values of spring stiffness and damping coefficient.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)316-334
Number of pages19
JournalHeavy Vehicle Systems
Volume8
Issue number3-4
StatePublished - 2001

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Mechanical Engineering

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