VEHICLE STRUCTURES AND ANALYSIS - 2021/2

Module Overview

Fourth year module for Automotive Engineering Master students

Vehicle structures

Starting from the space required for the major vehicle components different vehicle packaging concepts are introduced. Lightweight chassis structures are described and demonstrated with several examples of current vehicles, including aluminium space frame structures and composite monocoque chassis. The influence of the choice of material in terms of chassis stiffness and the design and manufacturing process is discussed.

Vehicle structure analysis

The simplified structural surface method is described and applied to basic vehicle bodies to analyse structural load paths. Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) requirements of lightweight hybrid and electric vehicles are introduced together with relevant analysis methods. Passive safety aspects in terms of crashworthiness and impact resistance are described. Sustainability considerations are explained with life-cycle assessment methodologies.

 

Module provider

Mechanical Engineering Sciences

Module Leader

LO Eric (Mech Eng Sci)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

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

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

ENG2119 Powertrain Design and Chassis Engineering 

Module content

Indicative content includes:

Vehicle structures

• Vehicle packaging requirements, constraints and concepts


• Lightweight vehicle structures: space frame and monocoque structures


• Stiffness of structures


• Life cycle sustainability assessment

• Simple structural surface method


• Fundamental theories of acoustics in automotive applications


• NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) aspects with particular focus on hybrid and electric vehicles


• Crashworthiness, impact resistance and safety implications

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Not applicable

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 coursework element allows students to demonstrate that they can interpret a problem and present a solution clearly and accurately.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Coursework   [ Learning outcomes 1, 2, 5 ]              (12 hours)                    {20%}


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

• Formative verbal feedback is given in tutorials


• Written feedback is given on the coursework assessments.

Module aims

• an introduction to chassis design requirements and constraints in terms of packaging and  structural behaviour, including crashworthiness and NVH aspects
• an understanding of the basic techniques used for the design of lightweight vehicle structures

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

introduce vehicle structures and analysis approached through theory with worked examples. This is delivered principally through lectures (including 2 to 3 guest lectures), tutorial classes and a computational laboratory. A coursework element involving design/analysis of a lightweight chassis.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• 3 hours lecture per week x 11 weeks (4 to 6 hours are assigned for guest lectures)


• 1 hour tutorial (in groups) x 9 weeks


• 2 hour computational laboratory x 1 week


• Coursework (12 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: ENGM267

Programmes this module appears in

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.