THE EFFECTS OF VEHICLE DESIGN PARAMETERS ON HANDLING FREQUENCY-RESPONSE CHARACTERISTICS

The yaw-plane handling model is used to derive the yaw-rate and side-s lip frequency response functions for a highway vehicle. These function s are second order with first order numerator terms. The dynamic param eters in these functions (time constants, steady-state gains, natural frequencies, and damping ratios) are derived in terms of vehicle desig n parameters (such as centre-of-gravity location, tyre cornering stiff ness, and vehicle mass and inertia), and plotted versus vehicle speed. The relationship between these vehicle design parameters and the dyna mic parameters are then discussed. The insight gained from this exerci se should lead to better vehicle designs.