Vehicle Stability Mechanical Engineering Series

Offering a systematic approach to the dynamics and stability of vehicles such as cars, bicycles, trailers, motorcycles, and trains, this book shows how mathematical models of varying degrees of complexity can be used to suggest design guidelines for the assurance of vehicle stability. The format of the text progresses from simple mathematical models to specialized topics including force generation by pneumatic tyres, railway wheels, and wings. A variation of exercises are included throughout to allow solid review of the material and includes unique sections on the use of a body-fixed coordinate system for conceptualization of vehicle dynamics and active means for stability enhancement. Based on the teaching experiences of Dean Karnopp, a renowned authority in mechanical systems modelling, this volume illustrates the derivations of equations of motion using Newton's laws, Lagrange's equations, and bond graphs through a series of examples dispersed throughout the text, and describes the similarities and differences in the stability properties of various vehicle types.