MECHANICS OF VEHICLES & MACHINES - 2021/2

Module code: ENG2095

Module Overview

This module provides an introduction to the mechanics of vehicles and machines with special emphasis on automotive components. The module will serve as a primer for more advanced (FHEQ Level 5 and 6) courses and involvement in the Formula Student Project.

Module provider

Mechanical Engineering Sciences

Module Leader

GRUBER Patrick (Mech Eng Sci)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Overall student workload

Independent Learning Hours: 106

Lecture Hours: 33

Tutorial Hours: 11

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

ENG1066 Solid Mechanics 1

Module content

Indicative content includes:

Powertrain


  • Internal combustion engines and their performance and efficiency characteristics.

  • Design of transmissions, differentials and drive train joints

  • Powertrain configurations including FWD, RWD and AWD



Chassis


  • Chassis performance parameters

  • Concept of weight transfer with focus on vehicle dynamics performance

  • Brake system design and modern chassis control systems such as ABS, Electronic stability control.



Vehicle Dynamics


  • Tyre characteristics

  • Configuration of suspension, steering and damping systems

  • Concepts of vehicle understeer and oversteer

  • Development of bicycle model for evaluation of dynamic vehicle response



Kinematics of machines


  • Kinematic analysis techniques of planar linkages and mechanisms

  • Slider-crank mechanism

  • Four-bar linkage mechanism



Kinetics of machines


  • Force and acceleration of linkages and mechanisms

  • Method of work and energy



Balancing of machines


  • Balancing of rotating masses

  • Static and dynamic balance


Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
Examination EXAMINATION (2 HR) 80
School-timetabled exam/test IN-SEMESTER TEST (30 MINS) 10
Coursework COURSEWORK 10

Alternative Assessment

Coursework in lieu of in-class test.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate

understanding of scientific principles, methodologies and mathematics methods as well as the ability to describe particular systems and processes in the final examination. The in-class test allows students to demonstrate that they can solve a kinematics/kinetics problem within a given time. The vehicles-related coursework tests research skills and report writing as well as their ability to comment critically on design solutions found in industry.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:


  • In-semester test             [ Learning outcomes 5]                     (30 min test)     {10%}

  • Vehicles coursework       [ Learning outcomes 1, 2 ]                (6 hours)           {10%}

  • Examination                   [ Learning outcomes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]      (2 hours)           {80%}



Formative assessment and feedback


  • Formative verbal feedback is given in tutorials

  • Written feedback is given on the coursework assessments


Module aims

  • a systematic understanding and critical awareness of the importance of individual components and systems of modern road vehicles
  • a knowledge of the design of modern chassis, suspension and power train components
  • an understanding of the energy efficiency characteristics and constraints of modern power train solutions
  • a knowledge of basic calculation techniques relating to vehicle dynamics
  • a comprehensive knowledge of the methods of investigating the motion of machines with and without reference to forces and masses
  • an understanding of balancing of rotating masses

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
001 UK-SPEC Learning Outcome codes: SM1b/m, EA1b, EA2, EA3b/m, P2, P4, G1 On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: identify and explain the basic components of automobile design; (P2, P4) –K, T KT
002 Describe performance and energy efficiency characteristics of modern power train solutions; (EA2) KT
003 Apply basic dynamic principles to evaluate the level of oversteer/understeer of a vehicle; (EA1b) KC
004 Assess the influence of vehicle, tyre and suspension parameters on the overall vehicle performance; (SM1b/m) C
005 Analyse the kinematics and kinetics of linkages and mechanisms; (SM1b/m, G1) K
006 Calculate the forces and moments in machine elements. (EA3b/m) K

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Introduce the design and analysis principles of mechanisms and vehicles through theory with worked examples. This is delivered principally through lectures and tutorial classes, and includes an in-semester test on kinematics/kinetics on mechanisms and an independently conducted vehicles-related coursework involving a review of advances in vehicle design.

 

The learning and teaching methods include:

 


  • 3 hours lecture per week x 11 weeks

  • 1 hour tutorial (in groups) x 11 weeks

  • In-semester test (30 min test, 6 hours preparation)

  • Vehicles-related coursework (6 hours)


Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ENG2095

Programmes this module appears in

Programme Semester Classification Qualifying conditions
Automotive Engineering MEng 1 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Automotive Engineering BEng (Hons) 1 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Automotive Engineering (Dual degree with HIT) BEng (Hons) 1 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Mechanical Engineering BEng (Hons) 1 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Mechanical Engineering MEng 1 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.