Fundamentals of Vehicle Dynamics (R114) [Hardcover]

Thomas D. Gillespie (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1560911999 | ISBN-13: 978-1560911999 | Publication Date: March 1992

The first book providing comprehensive coverage of vehicle dynamics in a single volume, Fundamentals of Vehicle Dynamics provides a foundation of engineering principles and analytical methods to explain the performance of an automotive vehicle, with chapters focusing on: acceleration performance; braking performance; aerodynamics and rolling resistance; ride; tires; steady-state cornering; suspensions; steering systems; and rollover.

Acceleration, braking, turning, and ride are among the most fundamental properties of a motor vehicle. To understand the vehicle as a system, it is necessary to acquire a knowledge of all these modes. Motion is the common denominator of all these modes; thus, the study of this field is denoted as vehicle dynamics.

Fundamentals of Vehicle Dynamics introduces the basic mechanics governing vehicle performance, and familiarizes the reader with analytical methods and terminology.

This book attempts to find a middle ground by balancing engineering principles and equations of use to every automotive engineer with practical explanations of the mechanics involved, so that those without a formal engineering degree can still comprehend and use most of the principles discussed.

Fundamentals of Vehicle Dynamics provides thorough coverage of these subjects: Fundamental Approach to Modeling; Power-Limited Acceleration; Braking Forces; Anti-Lock Brake Systems; Aerodynamics; Rolling Resistance; Vehicle Response Properties; High-Speed Cornering; Independent Suspensions; Front Wheel Geometry; Transient Rollover; Dynamic Axle Loads; Traction-Limited Acceleration; Tire-Road Friction; Rear-Wheel Lockup; Drag; Total Road Loads; Vibration; Solid Axles; Roll Center Analysis; Front Wheel Drive; and Tire Construction.

Either as an introductory text or a practical professional overview, Fundamentals of Vehicle Dynamics is an ideal reference on the forces and factors affecting the movements of a vehicle - accelerating, braking, ride, and turning.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Fills the gap between popularized books with spare engineering content and the very theoretical books." -- Heavy Vehicle Systems

"The absolutely definitive book on automotive suspensions... Accessible to the non-specialist." -- Road & Track

About the Author

Thomas D. Gillespie, Ph.D., a Research Scientist at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, has taught courses on vehicle dynamics and automotive engineering at the University of Michigan. He also teaches vehicle dynamics courses at automotive manufacturers and suppliers. In 1987-88, he served on the White House staff as a Senior Policy Analyst in the Office of Science and Technology Policy. He later served as a consultant to the White House and chaired the Interagency Task Force to develop a National Action Plan on Advanced Superconductivity Research and Development. He is currently the Director of the Great Lakes Center for Truck Transportation Research.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 519 pages
• Publisher: Society of Automotive Engineers Inc (March 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560911999
• ISBN-13: 978-1560911999
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #117,954 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A solid foundation, December 31, 2001

By 

Aron Nopanen (Santa Rosa, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fundamentals of Vehicle Dynamics (R114) (Hardcover)

My background is in computer engineering. As such, I have a basic understanding of kinematics, but approached this book with little knowledge of physics as specifically applied to vehicles.

I found this book to be a perfect first step into the field. It picked up essentially where my knowledge left off and provided solid coverage of the topics discussed. Due to the nature of the book--an introductory text--simplifications often had to be made; in these cases the simplifications were pointed out, often with references to publications covering the areas more fully. Furthermore, I felt that all topics were evenly covered--no one got undue attention.

Basically, the book was just what I was looking for.

My only significant pet peeves are the use of English-system measurements (I am more comfortable with metric), and a few cases of unexplained 'magic numbers' in formulas (it took me a minute to realize that 57.3 is the number of degrees in a radian). And plot and character development were pretty thin (grin).

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent yet easy to comprehend overview of vehicle dynamic, February 2, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Fundamentals of Vehicle Dynamics (R114) (Hardcover)

This book provides a thorough yet easy to understand overview of vehicle dynamics and how they affect performance. The mathematical basis for all concepts are provided, as are graphs , illustrations, sample problems, and solutions. I highly recommend this text for anyone interested in vehicle dynamics

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Poor Engineering Book, June 17, 2008

By 

Mark "Mark" (Columbus, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fundamentals of Vehicle Dynamics (R114) (Hardcover)

I first have to say I am surprised that I am the only one to give this book such a poor rating. From a "reading for leisure" standpoint, this book explains the basic concepts of vehicle dynamics pretty well; however, as a engineering book (from SAE no less), this is probably one of the worst books I have ever purchased in my entire educational and professional career.

As one of the reviews mentioned, the "unexplained 'magic numbers' in formulas" take time to get used to. I am not one to just accept formulas as is. As a graduate student, I like to know some thought behind the formulas I am using. In addition to the 'magic numbers', the author poorly explains many formulas. As an example, the author does not explain whether the sprung weight or total weight should be used when determining steady-state cornering. In all the formulas, the total weight is used; however, when determining changes due to body roll, only the sprung weight should be taking into account. Since unsprung weight only accounts for 5% of the total weight, maybe the author decided that was "close enough"; however, he should explain his reasoning in his assumptions. The author does this throughout the book.

This brings me to my next point: poor examples and very few examples. The review from the individual who said this book had great examples must have been a review for another book. I can count on one hand the number of examples in this entire book. The few examples that are used are grossly over-simplified and very poor in explaining the steps involved in finding a solution.

Additionally, the author rambles on too much. His wordy explainations could easily be condensed into fewer pages. As an engineer, I like conceptual explainations, but I don't like wasting my time either. One particular example that comes to mind is a formula written in paragraph form. Instead of just typing out the formula, the author takes a paragraph to write out the formula. After taking about 30 minutes of reading the paragraph and trying to find out the meaning of it (along with 2 other graduate students), I finally gave up.