Learning while Earning Short distance-learning courses for industry professionals
Motorsport Chassis Dynamics
A Motorsport Knowledge Exchange programme
A distance learning course which will provide you with an excellent understanding of the theoretical and practical issues involved in designing suspension systems for race cars
Motorsport Engineering Centre
Introduction
Motorsport Chassis Dynamics is offered in two parts. Students are able to either take both parts as a whole course or each part individually. While Parts One and Two are stand-alone units, if you intend to study the whole course, it is advisable to complete the courses in chronological order.
What are the courses about?
Motorsport Chassis Dynamics is predominantly about the dynamics of a racing car the non-equilibrium accelerating conditions which accompany the car as it progresses around the lap of a motor racing circuit. The object of the exercise is to save time all around the lap, and the racing car does this by maximising its accelerations: forwards from the start and along the straights; rearwards deceleration (negative acceleration) under braking; and lateral accelerations when cornering. Any other conditions are simply wasting time. These non-equilibrium acceleration conditions are embraced by the field of dynamics the study of accelerations of objects and the forces required to produce them, or vice versa the study of forces acting on bodies resulting from accelerations they are experiencing. To achieve the very best performance boils down to one key philosophy aiming to make sure that whatever the racing car is doing, and wherever it is on the circuit, its tyres are working to their maximum potential. The tyres are the crucial parameter, or specifically, the interaction between the tyres and track surface is the crucial parameter. Everything happens through these four contact patches accelerating, braking, cornering, and standing still even. The race car and its suspension systems have to be designed so as to maximise the grip available from the tyres for all the conditions weve outlined. This provides the best tool for the racing driver to then go racing.
Who are the courses for?
The courses are designed for engineers having a mechanical and/or automotive/motorsports background, probably with a BSc or BENg degree, although it would be applicable for those with practical racing experience and sufficient mathematical knowledge. Motorsport Chassis Dynamics (1) and (2) are postgraduate level courses and will require on average 400 hours of study each to complete
Benefits of the course
Developed WITH industry FOR industry User- and industry-friendly course delivery mechanisms Runs 24/7, meaning that students can begin the course on any day of the year Flexible, supported distance learning format allows engagement by work-based learners
Provides a highly comprehensive range of material, including case studies drawn from real race teams
Throughout the courses development, the motorsports industry, at a number of levels, has informed the curriculum, and provided strategic steer and critical review of developed material A number of different formats to suit different learner needs
http://motorsport.brookes.ac.uk
How do the courses work?
The courses are studied part-time via distance learning and should take about 12 months each to complete although there are no formal start- and end-dates. The course materials comprise: The Course Study Guide booklet, which contains various instructions and background details; A series of printed Course Workbooks, which contain the main reading material, as well as a number of activities which need to be completed satisfactorily for course progression; A DVD supports the main text and contains working Case Studies detailing some of the processes involved in operating racecars successfully. Material is drawn from real race teams, including F1; Access to the Brookes Virtual virtual learning system at Oxford Brookes University, which can be used for a number of purposes, including to answer course questions, to provide online discussion forums, to access reference material, and to communicate with course tutors etc.; Loose-printed articles from specialist journals giving useful background and illustrated examples Remote access to the MSC ADAMS software application (and ChassisSim, if you study Part 2); A final project, which forms the first of the two main assessable components of the courses. The core content of the course is supported by computer exercises, experiments, and simulations. You will be expected to study autonomously, although you will be able to contact a personal tutor. A number of selftest quizzes are included throughout the course. An end-of-course exam provides course assessment. Learners can supplement the theoretical content of the course with attendance at an additional, optional boot-camp style residential practical course which runs over a period of five days. During this session, subject specialists will provide in-depth knowledge and hands-on examples.
Course Requirements
You will need a computer running Windows XP or higher, with a DVD drive to access the course material. You will also need access to the Internet to use online resources. The course makes extensive use of the ADAMS computer simulation software. You will access a remote copy of the software via the Internet. It is NOT necessary to know how to use ADAMS before you start the course. Full instructions will be given.
Tuition Fees
The tuition fees* for the courses are 2400 and 2800 respectively, although modules are available as standalones and cost 1200 each. If both parts of the course are taken there will be a discount of 500**. The practical element of the course is an additional 8,000. The examination can be taken at this time.
What industry is saying about the course
Well written & very informative. The basic philosophy of Pat [Symonds] shows through which I think is really important and one of the best values you have. He adds practicality to the course which counts for a lot.
Mark Preston, Technical Director, Formtech Composites, former Technical Director, Super Aguri F1
I was very impressed by the quality of the course. I liked the layout and it is very easy for the reader as
Thomas Wissart, former R&D Engineer in charge of tyre data analysis, Super Aguri F1
there was a good balance of equations, physical explanations, and useful figures. The amount of work is very impressive.
This course will probably become the reference for many people.
Ben Michell, Senior Design Engineer-Car, Dunlop Motorsport
http://motorsport.brookes.ac.uk
*Oxford Brookes Alumni are eligible for a 10% discount. **Discount only available when both parts are opted for during initial enrolment
Structure of Courses
The courses covers a number of topics in the field of racing car dynamics, including some wellknown (if misunderstood) ones, such as:
Motorsports Chassis Dynamics (1)
The race car what it must actually do Racing tyres: mechanisms of grip, the friction circle, Pacejka models Weight transfer Static, dynamic, and transient wheel loads Straight-line performance prediction Engine torque and power curves
Motorsports Chassis Dynamics (2)
Suspension evolution and kinematics Camber gain and compensation Roll centre, force and kinematic Pitch centre Roll and pitch centre management. Anti squat and anti-dive geometry
Anti-roll bar operation and optimisation Gearbox ratios grip and torque limited acceleration Control of the roll gradient Launch control strategies Use in control of the understeer gradient Braking, ideal brake force ratio, maximum sustainable decelerations Brake design and optimisations Cornering, low- and high speed corners Effect of centre of gravity on understeer gradient Handling of the over-, neutral- and under-steering race car Corner optimisation Equations of equilibrium for cornering race car Derivatives analysis Response of vehicle to control inputs for step, ramp, and sinusoid Stability, critical and characteristic speeds Static margin and the use of derivatives analysis in vehicle optimisation ADAMs modelling - kinematic modelling of suspension Bell cranks, push and pull rods, installation ratios, and suspension loads Suspension dynamics. Single degree of freedom analysis 2DoF, 4DoF, quarter-, half- and full car models Suspension optimisation, determination of optimal damping coefficient ADAMs modelling including kinematic modelling of suspension Bicycle models to validate derivative analysis of vehicle response to control input Full vehicle simulation, driver models, and manoeuvre optimisation ChassisSim modelling
For more information please contact: Rebecca Price, School of Technology, Oxford Brookes University, Wheatley Campus, Wheatley, Oxford, OX33 1HX, UK t: +44 (0) 1865 484227 e: rprice@brookes.ac.uk
Oxford Brookes University reserve the right to alter the course and fees without notice.
MKE/CPD/06_2010
