Automobile Dynamics - Comparisons of Cornering and Ride Response Predictions with Linear Theory and with a Nonlinear Computer Simulation

摘要

The report documents a series of linearized small perturbation analyses made of the ride and lateraldirectional motions of a high performance vehicle. Response predictions based on linear theory are compared with those of the 11-degree of freedom nonlinear mathematical model which has been extensively validated. The report shows that response predictions based on simple linear models for separate ride and lateral-directional motions, can be made to 'fit' the more complex nonlinear simulation results for small input levels (e.g., a ride disturbance of 1 in amplitude with no cornering, and a lateral acceleration of 0.25g on flat, horizontal terrain). However, as the magnitudes of the inputs are increased, the computer simulation exhibits effects of nonlinearities beyond the scope of linear theory that are well known in competition driving. (BPR abstract)